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

lincroft1710

coolcarma - NO - you have no longer have an "interest" in the property i.e. you do not own or occupy it. BUT - why not contact current occupier and tell them about neighbour's reduction and encourage them to seek reduction.

lincroft1710

ticiag -if the effective date of reduction is date you sold, then you can't claim. If effective date is earlier then yes you can claim reduction on CT you've paid.

lincroft1710

Son of Pearl - yes I've been to hundreds, I'm ex VOA! Valuation Tribunal should have sent you booklet about procedure which used to be quite informative. Read this and anything else from VT and also everything from VOA thoroughly. If there is anything you don't understand. are not sure about or disagree with, NOW is this the time to sort it out by contacting relevant organisation either VOA or VT, don't wait until actual hearing.

At hearing, VOA are often asked to present evidence first. Listen, take notes, DO NOT INTERRUPT, you will have opportunity to ask questions when VOA has finished. When it's your turn to ask questions (VT has first option), don't repeat anything VT has asked, but do ask for clarification if there's something you don't understand. If you think there are inconsistencies in VOA evidence, politely ask if VOA can explain this, but don't try to be "clever". Don't ask questions like "Does the VOA think items 3 and 4 are comparable to my house?" as the answer will be "Yes, there about same size/a few doors away/sold for same price and in same band" and actually help VOA's case rather than yours.

When it's your turn to give evidence, speak clearly and at reasonable speed but not quickly. Don't tell them your life history - no one's interested that you had to buy house so big so that 8yr old half blind St Bernard can have room of his own. Keep to facts, you can have an opinion, but remember at question time VOA can ask what evidence you have to back up this opinion. Try not to repeat yourself. Don't be personal or dismissive of the VOA caseworker, VT don't approve of these tactics.

Some taxpayers have a lot of evidence with photos and graphs, which they make into simple binder. If you do go down this route and most taxpayers don't, you may want to consider preparing extra 5 copies (1 each for 3 VT members, 1 for VT clerk, 1 for VT). Remember if you present anything which may be disputed or needs to be checked or verified then hearing may be halted and adjourned to later date so this can be carried out.

Sorry that this has been lengthy and a bit "negative" but one final point - it's not that daunting, onus tends to be on VOA to prove his case, so he/she is probably more nervous than you.

lincroft1710

campari - for CT purposes houses have to be valued as if they are in good repair even if they aren't. Living accom in pubs and other commercial property are valued on different basis to stand alone housing, so you can't compare.

You have very few options, you could write to VOA customer service manager and say you do not think you've been treated fairly, or even write to your MP, neither way will guarantee a reduction however.

BTW things that have happened in past and have been sorted out can't be taken into account for CT purposes.

queeney_2

Lincroft - if you get a chance could you look at my question (3038)?? Thanks!
Queeney

lincroft1710

Queeney - in most parts of country 94 prices lower than 91, where I worked as much as 20 - 25% lower. I'm afraid the Band F looks correct.

lincroft1710

demetia - can you answer following pl?

1. When was your home first assessed for CT?
2. When was LNG terminal built?
3. What was on site of LNG term before it was built?
4. What nuisance do you suffer from it?
5. When did construction of gas power station start?
6. What nuisance do you suffer from it?

I don't agree that a view wouldn't add value to property, unless VO was trying to say "we haven't added for view, so if it's taken away there can't be a reduction".

Houses are failing to sell all over Britain, so it's difficult to gauge impact of these industrial developments.

lincroft1710

bobbydrake50 - After price falls of early 90s some areas and also some house types didn't reach 1991 levels of value until 1998. However there is no harm in trying.

lincroft1710

nanny111 - you can only ask assessor to review band, you are well out of time to make formal appeal. If assessor says band is correct, then that's it I'm afraid.

lincroft1710

nicolabridgeman - as you are no longer owner or occupier of house you have no right to ask for reduction. However you could ask present occupiers to ask for reduction.