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

livsterlovster

Hi I live in a row where some houses are 1bed terraced and some are 2 bed end terrace.
I live in 1 bed mid terraced property and we are all council tax B.
I have looked at prices and down the comparisons based on what i paid in 2007, 115,000 the value would be under 40k, however If I put in the value in 2000 that the previous owner paid it makes property £48k. House was sold for £78,500 in 2000.
When the house was built in 1989 it was insured for 28,000. I have original certificate.
Is it worth me calling the local officer or really will it not be worth the trouble? Would those earlier prices be closer to the value in 1991?

exvoperson

To Milliesdad

Can I suggest you view the VTS website -decisions for Wiltshire and read case 15 Herbleaze Staverton which confirmed Band F on what may be a similar property. To get a full picture on the comparable sales used by the VOA on that case use the website ourproperty.co.uk which has sales back to 1995. Late 1996 and 1997 prices being similar to 1991 prices for that area. The postcode you need to enter in the search box for properties in the marina is BA14 8UR.
Not good news I.m afraid but hope it helps.

Regards

ExVOperson

lincroft1710

exvoperson - that's interesting, as where I worked it was more like 97/98 before prices attained 91 levels, did you also experience prices for 1 bed starter homes taking the longest time to recover?

lincroft1710

livsterlovster - 2 points, firstly your research proves how inaccurate house price indices are, secondly insurance value is the rebuild cost of a dwelling, it does not reflect the value of the land the property sits on, so is of no use in trying to work out possible 1991 sale price. 1 bed terr and 2 bed ET in same band is quite feasible. Check bands of other 1 beds in immediate area on VOA website. As these houses have been around since before start of Council Tax, it's probable at least one has been appealed, so if you find a Band A contact VOA, if not it may be worth a quick phone call to check if band correct.

Although you are probably in different area, in one of the towns I dealt with there were dozens of these 1 bed starter homes built during period 1989/95, loads of appeals over years but 91 sales evidence proved Band B correct and all appeals settled at Band B.

julians_2

lincroft1710 wrote: »

julians - what was reason given for the 2 band drop?

"New information about the property". So i'm still not sure if i can apply for a backdated claim for all years since original grade..

lincroft1710

Julians - I would just ring VOA and ask why reduction not backdated to 1 Apr 93.

cmac1107

I have just challenged my council tax banding, due to realising an identical house down my street has been rebanded from a C to a B. I've received a letter today acknowleding my claim, but asking for further information (a form VO7497). Please they are at least looking into my claim. Just got to wait for a reply now!!!

Brennygran

I am challenging my banding and the VOA say that the two properties I am using for 1991 valuations were sold by mortgagees in possession so cannot be used. These properties were sold via an estate agent and advertised in the papers so I think they should be regarded as open market sales. Does anyone have any advice or information please?

lincroft1710

Brennygran - the basis of valuation for a dwelling is the amount it would have sold for on the 'open market' by a 'willing vendor'. Repossession sales are NOT regarded as sales by willing vendors, so are not considered good evidence by VOA.

ant_purley

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Material reduction is primary route, as you can make valid appeal, backed up with neighbours' lower bands. A weapon in each hand is far better than just one in one hand.

Thanks a lot for all your advice.
The VOA have just rebanded me down to an E and it is effective from 1993.
Obviously it was overvalued before losing the garden.Now I am in line for 2 years rebate hopefully.:T