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

lincroft1710

Whereabouts in the country are you, because although some of the valuations suggest Band D could be correct, D is high for an ex-council flat. Band B seems too low if these flats are the same as yours.

now3d

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Whereabouts in the country are you, because although some of the valuations suggest Band D could be correct, D is high for an ex-council flat. Band B seems too low if these flats are the same as yours.

Zone 2, London. Near Kilburn. Pretty central.

Joannieb_2

I discussed this with my neighbours . They were all on a higher band as I got mine lowered when I moved in 20 years ago. Someone challenged theirs. The result was that mine was raised to match the others!

Annabee

The Valuation Office Agency tool for checking your Council Tax band is not working at the moment. Is it likely to be a temporary thing, do you think, or is there anywhere this can be reported?

EDIT (8 September)

It's working again, now.

pireous

How can I reclaim the Council Tax on a house that I lived in for 14 years from the start of the new scheme. But no longer live there. The present owners are the people we sold the house to.
Any help will be appreciated.

lincroft1710

pireous wrote: »

How can I reclaim the Council Tax on a house that I lived in for 14 years from the start of the new scheme. But no longer live there. The present owners are the people we sold the house to.
Any help will be appreciated.

Your post isn't very clear, what is the "new scheme"?

pireous

When the tax system changed from the original taxation system to Mrs Thatchers Council tax

lincroft1710

The "original taxation system" was domestic rating, which had been in existence since at least the 19th century and was abolished in 1990. This was like Council Tax based on property values. From 1990 until 1993 Community Charge (or "Poll Tax") was in force. CT is not a "new scheme", it has lasted far longer than its immediate predecessor.

If the CT band of your previous home has been reduced with an effective date prior to you leaving, then you may be able to claim any overpayment. However some councils will only refund 6 years back from the date of claim which would mean you wouldn't receive anything.

You need to speak to the council and fully explain the situation.

alanm_4

Just to report that completely out of the blue and without me questioning the banding I have had a letter this weekend from the VOA telling me they have regraded my house from a D to a C. :j

Just checked the valuation on here with the 1991 calculator and it looks like they are right, too - which makes me mildly annoyed that I accepted the banding when I moved in 2 years ago. But only mildly, as I now expect my council to be knocking on my door with a refund of my overpayments.

Wondering if the neighbour 3 houses down challenged the banding when they moved in a couple of months ago, can't think of any other reason the VOA should suddenly develop an interest in my little house. Might owe them a drink.

And the previous occupants of this place will owe me a few drinks when I let them know they are also entitled to a payout (thanks to MSE for that piece of info/advice). Fortunately I know them and can tell them.

LouLou68_2

Our family have lived in our home since October 1992. We paid £52,000 and the band is C.
All other houses on our side of the road are banded B but are all similar/same sized Victorian houses.
The only difference is ours and our neighbours are semi detached whereas all the others are terraced.

Questions .....
Can we challenge the banding as we have lived here 23 years?
According to the valuations set in 1991 the B banding ceiling is £52,000 and the C banding starts at £52,001. We paid £52,000 in October 1992. It's close but I think we should have been in band B.
Do you think there's any chance of positive a rebanding?
Will it help if our neighbour asks for a review too?

Thanks for your comments