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

JOHNGT

Dear MSEs, have written to Assessor and been turned down for a rebanding but they are going to ask the Valuation Appeal Committee whether my proposal is out of time at a hearing which I attend.

Having moved into the house 17 years ago, I am well over the 6-month limit. However, there must be a reason why this goes to the committee. This suggests to me that although I am years over the 6-months I may be able to argue that my proposal is not 'out of time'.

The hearing is purely to hear the out of time aspect and not to allow me to present evidence re valuation (I would only get that opportunity if I win this hearing). Anyone got any good tips for how I should argue that my proposal is not out of time even though it clearly looks that way!?

lincroft1710

JOHNGT wrote: »

The hearing is purely to hear the out of time aspect and not to allow me to present evidence re valuation (I would only get that opportunity if I win this hearing). Anyone got any good tips for how I should argue that my proposal is not out of time even though it clearly looks that way!?

If your proposal is out of time, then it is out of time.

If the Assessor receives a proposal which is OOT, they have to take it to a tribunal hearing for a decision on whether or not the proposal is invalid. As you have lived in your property for 17 years, I can't see any hope of any result other than your proposal being determined as invalid as it was submitted well outside the time limits.

Squizz

Hi and many thanks for the replies.

It just stinks of double standards though. We knew the house had its band increased in the past due to an extension but it was small. It just seems. . . oh I can't find the word . . . that following the addition of a small extension the VOA can then also include anything else about the property conservatory, garage, fittings et.c to make their judgement even if it had these since being first banded in 1991. The council do not refer garages or conservatories etc to the VOA for monitoring in respect of banding for future sales so why should they be able to use it for rebanding?

rant over....

lincroft1710

Squizz wrote: »

Hi and many thanks for the replies.

It just stinks of double standards though. We knew the house had its band increased in the past due to an extension but it was small. It just seems. . . oh I can't find the word . . . that following the addition of a small extension the VOA can then also include anything else about the property conservatory, garage, fittings et.c to make their judgement even if it had these since being first banded in 1991. The council do not refer garages or conservatories etc to the VOA for monitoring in respect of banding for future sales so why should they be able to use it for rebanding?

rant over....

Can't see where "double standards" apply.

CT band reflects a dwelling's market value, so anything that affects that value must be included, i.e. garages, conservatories etc. There is nothing to stop a council referring such alterations to the VOA, they just seem not to do so these days.

paddymacman

We have a property with an extension in which my mum-in-law has lived for 4 years, she has now moved out into a care home. My wife was her primary carer (more than 35hrs/wk).

We have just discovered that we should have been able to claim a CT reduction because of having a dependent relative over 70 living with us. Can we still claim? Does it matter that she was not listed in the address of the CT bill (we look after everything, so did not see that as mattering).

Thanks

jassuri

My garage is being banded into council tax A. It is not feasibly habitable, as there is no gas or central heating. Because there is a parital reminsecense of a kitchen, I.E. cupboards on the wall and tiles on wall below, and pipe work for connecting a sink and plug at a height for a cooker.
Is there anyway to complain as i doubt the council will change there view unless i demolish my garage. there is absolutely no way anyone can stay in my garage how can the council do this to me?

lincroft1710

jassuri wrote: »

My garage is being banded into council tax A. It is not feasibly habitable, as there is no gas or central heating. Because there is a parital reminsecense of a kitchen, I.E. cupboards on the wall and tiles on wall below, and pipe work for connecting a sink and plug at a height for a cooker.
Is there anyway to complain as i doubt the council will change there view unless i demolish my garage. there is absolutely no way anyone can stay in my garage how can the council do this to me?

I think you are telling only half the story. Unless someone has been living in your garage or planning permission or building regs had been sought, the council would not be aware of any conversion work done to it. If they believe the garage is being used as separate living accom, then they would inform the VOA (Eng & Wales) or Assessor (Scot) and ask them to investigate.

I'm ex VOA and unless the garage has facilities for food preparation, washing, sleeping (space for a bed) and a WC, it would not be classed as a separate dwelling. It does not need a cooker, the presence of a 30 amp cooker point or suitable gas supply or a microwave would be sufficient.

The presence or absence of a gas supply or CH is of no relevance when deciding if part of a property forms a separate dwelling.

PJC1

I have been notified of band alteration whic is lowering my band to A from B. Ihave not asked for this, so dose it mean I can claim back to 1993 and if so how

lincroft1710

PJC1 wrote: »

I have been notified of band alteration whic is lowering my band to A from B. Ihave not asked for this, so dose it mean I can claim back to 1993 and if so how

Any overpayment of Council Tax should automatically be refunded by the council either by cheque or a reduction of current/forthcoming bill. It may be a few weeks before council contact you.

Dans_Girl

Newbie here; Just though I'd add a comment re asking for review of a Council Tax banding.
A change has recently happened (in Wales anyway)
Any new requests now have to have evidence provided to support any possible reduction. It is no longer possible to just say 'i think my band is wrong'; you will be told that unless you can provide the supporting evidence then a review will not be carried out. ie Sales evidence, valuations at time of AVD. If comparing to other dwellings you need to provide addresses. Ensure that the comparables you cite are as close to identical as possible. Compare like with like.
Incidently, housing indices alone are not accepted evidence.
Evidence of actual sales price at the AVD (up to 6months either side) is the best evidence.

Forewarned is fore-armed so do your research first... and you should be fine.