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

lincroft1710

Ped - when I was in VOA several colleagues and I always commented on the fact that whenever a taxpayer saw his neighbour's band was lower the automatic reaction was that the higher band was the wrong one. I had one case where a woman said two neighbours each had same house as hers but both were 2 bands lower. Both neighbours had a 2 band increase and neither appealed.

Your neighbour's band may be the correct one and if it isn't the VOA will just say they found an error, but will not drop you in it. An increased band is not backdated.

If you don't want to quote next door (but VOA may look at it as a comparison even if you don't quote it) you will have to look for other houses in the neighbourhood of a similar size to yours and in a lower band.

eddieunwin

BACK AGAIN.

Still reading and trying to understand the best way to handle C/Tax band.

Thank you for PM. I have checked the 3 houses in band B and they WERE all band C at one point.

Don't know if they changed band within the 6 months rule though, new band just shows april 1993 date.

If I ring the VOA, will a query about it be seen as 'submitting a proposal' (re-evalution list reasons won't help & again 6 month rule would make it invalid??)

Is BAND REVIEW the same thing as 'PROPOSAL'

The problem is, if anyone DID buy their house in 1991, it would have probably been through councils RTB and therefore NOT a true valuation. I am very doubtful that any private sales would have been made. (desireable area maybe, but definately NOT desireable Road.)

Obviously, VOA must know that band B must be right for 1991 value as they've already reduced 3 houses. For anyone here that can't swap or sell, how do we get band changed and refund for overpaid amounts.

Is the only option a tribunal or inspection?

Lyncroft, you have really helped me on this, trouble is, word has spread & everyone is asking ME(aargh) what to do. As I said before, I don't want to be blamed if bands go up. As ex VOA, what would you do, I'll follow your lead and be grateful for any advice.

If successful, you've made me a hero. LOL

I'll be sure to tell them where they can thank the real expert.

Thank you again for your help mate! Sorry for long post, but at least I put question in the right place.

lincroft1710

Eddie - the fact the bands reduced from C to B is good news, clearly VOA have had to reduce these.

Several posters on here have had success just by phoning VOA, which is what I suggest you do and quote the addresses of the 3 Band Bs and ask that they reduce band of your father's home to B in line with these.

eddieunwin

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Eddie - the fact the bands reduced from C to B is good news, clearly VOA have had to reduce these.

Several posters on here have had success just by phoning VOA, which is what I suggest you do and quote the addresses of the 3 Band Bs and ask that they reduce band of your father's home to B in line with these.

:j Will follow that through in the morning then, Seemed to good to be true, too easy?

I'll let you know what they say tomorrow. Thanks

Reading through success and failures, it looked as though earlier posts were given new bands and refunds easier, the later ones looked more difficult... the 6 month thing and tribunals getting in the way.

You're the man in the know so I can't wait to tell my dad what you suggest.

Sorry to be a pest but if they do say those bands were changed within the 6 months and our request is out of date, what would be the worst outcome of asking? (I know dads bound to ask)

Also, how do I locate VOA for this area, will it be on the website do you know?

Thanks again. TOP MAN :beer:

lincroft1710

VOA are statutorily bound to get the band right, you can ask them to check your band at any time. The worst they could say would be that there are sufficient differences between the Band Bs and your father's house for it to remain Band C.

VOA website has link to its offices and areas they cover.

eddieunwin

lincroft1710

Thanks for making it clear for me, I've written everything down that you suggested and now feel confident about making the call. I wouldn't have been without all your good advice. I'm going back onto VOA website to get the number and will definately ring them tomorrow.

I'll leave a message on the board to let you know how it went.

Whatever happens, thanks for everything.

eddieunwin

:j

Just wanted to leave a message of thanks to lincroft1710

Phoned VOA this morning as you advised.

I spoke to a very nice lady & followed your instructions to the letter:T

I was asked the same questions you told me to answer & it didn't appear to be disagreed with. She didn't argue the point anyway so I'm very hopeful.

After a couple of simple questions i.e how many bedrooms, receptions etc.
parking, conservatory. She told me she would fill in a raise a review form and that we would hear within 8 weeks (max) of the decision.

As I said before, I would not have even tried if I had not been given such great advice and support and am very grateful. Your guidance gave me the confidence to oppose the band and pursue a change and that is success in its self.;)

You will be the first person contacted when we hear the result!!:T:T

lincroft1710

Eddie - glad to been of help.

jamdown

Can anyone pls advice me what i should do as i have tried in 2008 to get my council tax, but was turned down and i which to try again. My property was brought under the right to buy scheme and can not find any information via the library to find out the true value of my property. I am writing again to them and will appreciate advice on this matter?

Dear Sir/Madam,
"I am writing to tell you I believe the council tax banding list of my property is incorrect, my house is in the wrong band, and I ask that you investigate that it is corrected."
I have done some research and was shock to find that out of 306 properties on my estate that there are only 9 properties all on Bodley Manor way which are in band D of the council tax. Cressingham Gardens Estate comprises of 1 and 2 bedroom maisonettes, as well has 4 bedroom terrace houses.
I live in a 4 bedroom mid terrace which I purchased from Lambeth Council in 2001 for the price £135,000.00 after being valued at £150,000.00 giving me a discount of £15,000.00.
The following properties which are identical to mine are as follows:-
1) 18 Upgrove Manor Way which was sold for £145,000.00 on 11/02/02 and is Band C of the Council Tax.
2) 82 Hardel Walk which was sold for £185,000.00 on 09/03/07 and is also in Band C of the Council Tax.
Properties like Number 2, 10, 12, 14 and 24 of Upgrove Manor Way are all end terrace houses yet they are all in Band C of the Council Tax.
I therefore ask of you to do a revaluation to ensure that I am paying a fair amount as we are all aware that the rush through the valuation in 1991, it was often outsourced to relevant bodies such as estate agents.

lincroft1710

jamdown - check if any of 4 bed terrace in C were originally in D. The valuation of £150K for your home in 2001 does suggest Band D could be correct though.