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

jollyanna

I'm new but have been lurking for months and find the whole site inspirational. I'm planning to request a rebanding on the grounds that my property was overvalued in the first place. I want to do it today but haven't yet finished my research as the library kicked me out at seven last night as they were closing. Would it be foolish to apply before I've got more evidence or can I assume that I have a couple of weeks grace (and more library time)before I present my evidence? Also, Maisie, I can't find the original thread of yours. How do I get to it please?

Maisie

jollyanna wrote:

I'm new but have been lurking for months and find the whole site inspirational. I'm planning to request a rebanding on the grounds that my property was overvalued in the first place. I want to do it today but haven't yet finished my research as the library kicked me out at seven last night as they were closing. Would it be foolish to apply before I've got more evidence or can I assume that I have a couple of weeks grace (and more library time)before I present my evidence? Also, Maisie, I can't find the original thread of yours. How do I get to it please?

Hi Jollyanna and welcome to this thread.

if you go to first page on this thread (1) and then in small print under the title (Council tax costcutting) is a note from Martin:
ie 'Thanks to all who contributed to this initial thread'( in small print)'

If you click on - initial thread_
It will open the closed thread and there's lots of good info on there from posters.

There's probably a linked way to do it (can anyone help?) but I don't know how to do it.

Good luck with your appeal and hope you get the rebate and rebanding that so many have.

Good luck.

Maisie

hamster_rocks

Just to clarify the valuation bandings shown in the article do not apply in Scotland. Scotland's bands are: A upto 27,000 B:27-35, C 35-45, D 45-58 E 58-80, F 80-106 G 106-212 and H over 212,000.

In case it causes confusion.

bye_bye_band_G

Moneysavers, don't forget to watch Martin's programme on Council Tax cutting and rebanding - this Friday 8pm ITV.
Would anyone on here like to make it a little more interesting by telling us they will be appearing on it? Who is telling their success story?
I was a bit too shy myself to want to appear on National TV. Maisie, will you be on?

Stu666

I'd just like to thank this website for this information. I've successfully had my band changed from B to A on the grounds of a valuation error. I had very little trouble with it too. I filled in the form on VOA's website, received the standard paperwork through the post saying that my application has been rejected but I may appeal against it. All I did then was ring the local VOA office and said I wanted to appeal but I'd lost the paperwork, which I'd shredded by accident. "No problem" said the nice chap on the telephone, "I'll raise a report for you". That was the last I heard until about a week later I got a letter informing me about the change. I probably won't get much back to be honest, I've only been where I am a couple of years on band B, but it's the victory that counts. I'm I right in thinking the former occupants will be traced and refunded too?

leona71

Hi
Hope someone can advise?
We moved into our house on June 2000 and we're on a band G Scotland, i've checked our neighbours band and they are on a band E as per 1993. I've asked her about it and she said she's a band E. So can we do something about this as we've been paying a band G since we moved in and all the houses around us are the same Victorian houses.

Leona

MsP

Hi

I read this thread and as i was outside the 6 months period for appeal i emailed the VOA outlining why I thought my banding was incorrect. They then rang me and said that the reason my house was at a higher band than many other houses on the road was that my house (and some others on the street) had been 'modernised'. When i asked what exactly that meant, I was told that it might be double glazing?!

Anyway, I said I wasn't happy so they asked me to appeal online - which i did. since then I have been sent one letter telling me my appeal is invalid (6 month rule) and another saying that they will review my banding to see if it is fair and consistent.

Which is great, but at the end of the letter it says "I would advise you that there is no right of appeal against my decision". Does this mean I have nowhere to go if they turn down my request for rebanding?

leona71

I have found out that I am on a band F and my neighbour is a band E simply because we have an extra room, a small dining room to the back of the house. I wish i could demolish it now as it's costing us a fortune!!!

It seems very unfair that my neighbour who has no mortgage, fancy cars, no family and in the same house as me on a lower band and we have more responsibilties and on an F just because of one stupid extra room in my house.

Leona

Maisie

bye_bye_band_G wrote:

Moneysavers, don't forget to watch Martin's programme on Council Tax cutting and rebanding - this Friday 8pm ITV.
Would anyone on here like to make it a little more interesting by telling us they will be appearing on it? Who is telling their success story?
I was a bit too shy myself to want to appear on National TV. Maisie, will you be on?

Hi bye bye band G. Hope you are enjoying your lower band.
Also all you other successful MSEs who got their band lowered and a rebate.

I'd be interested to know who's on the council tax programme on Friday.

Martin did ask me and I replied but didn't hear any more! I'm a bit shy too so don't know about National Tv but would have liked to seen the programme made and met some of the successful people who get their band lowered and a rebate.

Shall be watching anyway. Hope someone will wave Hello to me!

Maisie. OP

Maisie

Stu666 wrote:

I'd just like to thank this website for this information. I've successfully had my band changed from B to A on the grounds of a valuation error. I had very little trouble with it too. I filled in the form on VOA's website, received the standard paperwork through the post saying that my application has been rejected but I may appeal against it. All I did then was ring the local VOA office and said I wanted to appeal but I'd lost the paperwork, which I'd shredded by accident. "No problem" said the nice chap on the telephone, "I'll raise a report for you". That was the last I heard until about a week later I got a letter informing me about the change. I probably won't get much back to be honest, I've only been where I am a couple of years on band B, but it's the victory that counts. I'm I right in thinking the former occupants will be traced and refunded too?

Hi Stu666

Seems in some cases the former occupants have been refunded but I don't know if it's general.

Glad my oriiginal post (on the closed thread) helped you get a rebanding.

Don't forget to watch the TV programme on Friday 8pm. I don't know what the format is but we should see some of the successful MSEs.

Maisie . OP