Council Tax Cost Cutting: reduce your band and grab any discounts Discussion Area

vivatifosi

Hi Suzycat,

I don't know the situation for Wales as I know that banding has changed there. However I would be inclined to write to the council, set out what you think the data is, and just ask them politely why they came up with a different figure. Worse case you find out how they arrived at their figures and why they are right, best case they will amend the situation.

Milliehomer

Hello , not sure if i`m doing this right but here goes
i left my old address 4 years ago , after watching the progamme about re-banding i contacted the council who agreed that i should have been in a lower band , but as i had left the address i had no legal right to a refund. Does anyone know if this is correct as i lived there for over 10 years and would obviously have paid quite a lot more than i should have done
thanks

Zebedeee

Suzycat, I'm sure you've already done this, but just make sure it is the difference between the amounts of the two bands that you are multiplying up. If you double check and you are still convinced they have got it wrong (and that wouldn't be the greatest surprise) then I would give them a ring and tell them, asking them to explain how they reach their figure. I wouldn't be surprised if the person you speak to hasn't got a clue what you are talking about so you may have to show your workings in a letter, but perhaps you can get someone to take a look at it over the phone first.

As for the interest, the council are unlikely to offer that in their refund., although it doesn't harm to ask. Most find they have to go back to the VOA to ask them to initiate payment of interest.

HTH!

Zebedeee

clbanks

The last two houses I have lived in were in the wrong band. The first house I had lived in for more than three years and been paying a Band D and it was only a Band C. when I got it changed I asked for my money back but they said because I had lived at the address for more than three years I couldn't have anything. This seemed very unfair and now in the light of things I wonder if it would be worth pursuing a refund even though it was 4 years or so since I moved.

As soon as I moved into the house I'm in now in the same village no less, surprise surprise I was paying a band E and it should have only been a band D. All the houses are the same in the village so was the council trying to pull a fast one???

melanieK80

In 2000 we bought a new build house at the end of an old street of terraced houses, it was a one off build and our council tax was band C even though we only paid £38000 for it (full asking price). All the other houses on the street where Band A. We quieried it with the council and they agreed to reduce it to band B but where unable to reduce it 2 bands. We would have to go to an appeal hearing if we wanted it in band A. We decided to leave it as the day off work would cost us nearly the difference in reduction. We moved out of that property in 2004, can we apply for a reclaim? or are we too late?

sammiebabes

I moved house in June last year. My brand new house is set in a band E, as was my old house. I lived at my old house between end 2001 and June last year and am confused because there was £40K difference in value on what my old house sold for and what my new house cost. Both houses have been brand new when I bought them and the previous one was in a large new development that has only been in place for approx 12 years.

My new house is set in the same band as all similar houses on my street as is the last house. So I don't have any direct neighbours to contrast against my findings. However when I've checked the Nationwide values the old house should be in a Band D according to that.

Therefore I'm not sure what to do, do I challenge the band for the old house and possibly find that my new house could then be put up a band although it currently fits into a band E anyway according to the Nationwide valuation. I do honestly feel that the old house in retrospect should have been a band D, but with similar houses in the 1000+ development there also being in the same band I wonder is this a battle that I'm never going to win?

Hope someone can help...

Thks, Sam

stillstanding_2

I have been in touch with the Valuation Ofiice and have been told that I am not allowed to change my property band or claim any money back as I had to do this within 6 months of buying the property - we purchased 5 years ago. The nice man at the VOA did say that he agreed with me that it is unfair that my property is in band F while my next door neighbours is in E even though we have the same property and purchased within 3 months of one another - but there was nothing he or I can do.

I think this is a nonsense but need advice on the most effective way forward to deal with. Is there anyone out there who knows or can help please...?

Zebedeee

stillstanding wrote: »

I have been in touch with the Valuation Ofiice and have been told that I am not allowed to change my property band or claim any money back as I had to do this within 6 months of buying the property - we purchased 5 years ago. The nice man at the VOA did say that he agreed with me that it is unfair that my property is in band F while my next door neighbours is in E even though we have the same property and purchased within 3 months of one another - but there was nothing he or I can do.

I think this is a nonsense but need advice on the most effective way forward to deal with. Is there anyone out there who knows or can help please...?

It's very interesting that he agreed that your house is in the wrong band, and he is, of course, not telling the truth when he says there is nothing he can do about it. It is easier to get your banding looked at if you do it within the first 6 months, but then most of us didn't know that when we started! If I were you, I would write to the VOA explaining why you think you are in the wrong band and comparing your property with those of your neighbours'. I'd also mention that the gentleman you spoke to agreed you should be in the lower band. Point out that they have a duty, by law, to keep the lists fair and accurate, which your VO man has admitted they are not.

Hope that helps!

Zebedeee

Aitch7

Hi guys,

Sorry if this has been answered - but I haven't found it so far.

I live in a house that has been divided into 4 flats - they are all equal size as we all have a floor each.

I did the calculations suggested on this site - it was useful that the adjoining house has just been sold.

3 of our flats are currently in band D and the basement flat is in band C despite the fact that it is exactly the same size!

I found that the value of the house in 1991 would put it into band F but it was obviously flats back then too so they went for band D.

Do I literally divide the price by 4 when I ask for a re-banding because if I do it puts me just into band A (!) £300 under band B.

I just want to check before I ask for a re-band as the last thing I need is to be paying more.

thanks,
best wishes
Aitch7

Zebedeee

Aitch7 wrote: »

Hi guys,

Do I literally divide the price by 4 when I ask for a re-banding because if I do it puts me just into band A (!) £300 under band B.

Wouldn't it be great if it were that simple? Unfortunately, you are going to have to try and work out what the flats would have sold for individually had they been sold in 1991. Also, see if you can find other simillar flats nearby with which to compare yours to see if you can establish a pattern, or average banding.

Hope that helps!

Zebedeee