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

SPLEEN_3

Just to update on my post from earlier today:

my last email to them said that basically as i was owed the money i felt i had a right having it refunded, and i recieved an email today saying that they are refunding the full amount within 10 days. Hope that helps anyone in same situation.

The_Danish_Viking

"Lower your band and save £1,000s", but the articel don't say anything about interest to a posible pay out.
I have been in toutch with a Huddersfield company (ctreview) and they say I could get 8.5% p.a. interst - Interesting :T

lincroft1710

The_Danish_Viking wrote: »

"Lower your band and save £1,000s", but the articel don't say anything about interest to a posible pay out.
I have been in toutch with a Huddersfield company (ctreview) and they say I could get 8.5% p.a. interst - Interesting :T

As there is no provision in CT legislation for payment of interest on refunded overpayments, councils will not pay interest. They could be criticised by the auditors if they did so.

How much is this company charging you for the privilege of acting on your behalf?

harmudge

I have been toying with the idea of trying to do this for awhile!

Basically I live in a Band C property (2 bed ground floor Maisonette) purchased in 1997 for £59950. According to the 1991 calculator that would put my property in a Band B.

The road is a mixture of terraced houses and maisonettes at Band C, with the remainder at Band D.

The property next door is a 2 bedded terraced house also in Band C. According to the 1991 calculator, this property should be in Band D.

All the other maisonettes similar to our property in our road are also C.

It is worth taking a chance and trying for rebanding? Any advice would be appreciated

lincroft1710

Where I live, a 97 price of £60k would easily show a Band C figure in 91, as house prices were starting to achieve 1991 levels by 1997/8.

Terraced houses shouldn't be used as comparable for maisonettes, so don't quote next door. If you did its band could be increased.

woozle35

Hi All,

I have been in my property for 10 years and have always been in band c, I have done all the checks that are listed on the information board and it all says I have a strong case to go to band b.

What is the best way to contact them, is it by phone or writing a letter?

On the voa website is says I ahve no case as I ahve lived here over 10 years.

Hoping someone can help.
Thanks Viki

lincroft1710

Advantage of a letter is that VOA have info as you have written it, rather than scribbled note of phone call.

Although you cannot make a valid appeal against your CT band as you're out of time, you can ask to have it checked.

Marie_Williams

I went directly to the VO and have been refused. I just said I believed I was in the wrong band. I get a three page letter back which is incomprehensible. Can I e mail the sender and request clarification? Most of the houses like mine are a lower band. I had hardly any conversation with the officer when she came out I just pointed out that neighbouring properties the same as mine where lower. She did not encourage me to talk. The answers in the letter state "that in your discussions" and there are numerous headings of questions I am supposed to have asked but didn't. It also states that I can only appeal to a tribunal not to her. Within a set time but no time limit. The web site I am guided to does not tell me anything more than I know already. Any advice appreciated.

lincroft1710

Marie_Williams wrote: »

Can I e mail the sender and request clarification?

Yes

It also states that I can only appeal to a tribunal not to her. Within a set time but no time limit.

The time limit is 3 months from receipt of VOA decision for an appeal to the tribunal according to VOA website

The web site I am guided to does not tell me anything more than I know already. Any advice appreciated.

What is it you actually want to know?

Marie_Williams

Thank you for your advice. I have e mailed her saying I do not understand the letter. It was obviously a set letter with paragraphs just altered.

What I wanted to know was the reasons I could appeal to a Tribunal as I can no longer appeal to the VO. As I believe they are limited. I feel that, as I did not ask any questions, I did not really specify my points I felt quite confident as others had been lowered.
The letter from the VO answers a lot of specific questions which I did not get the opportunity to ask. It was obviously a set letter.

I also wanted to know the time limit which you have given me. Any information re going to a tribunal and how I access information would be helpful.

A number of my neighbours in similar houses have been reduced after a Solicitor approaching them. I went direct and just stated I believed I was in the incorrect band and have been knocked back.

I am a mid terrace banded B other mid terraces are A although some are B because they haven't applied sometimes because they are rented.