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

familyguy321

lincroft1710 wrote: »

I think the VT send an information booklet when they let you know the date of the hearing

Lincroft,

Further to my post in December, I have now received a Notice of Hearing.

The hearing will take place in June but there was no information booklet included in the envelope. To be honest, I am quite nervous about it - what resource(s) would you recommend that would help me prepare for the hearing?

Thanks,
FG

lincroft1710

familyguy321 wrote: »

Lincroft,

Further to my post in December, I have now received a Notice of Hearing.

The hearing will take place in June but there was no information booklet included in the envelope. To be honest, I am quite nervous about it - what resource(s) would you recommend that would help me prepare for the hearing?

Thanks,
FG

I would suggest you first have a read of VT website

https://www.valuationtribunal.gov.uk

Lots of info especially on case preparation. The CT Guidance manual is under revision, which is why you probably didn't receive a copy. If you need any more information phone them and if they can't help please repost.

Just have all the information you used in the appeal typed up so it shows the property addresses and all relevant info pertaining to that property especially CT band, date of sale, sale price, whether detached/semi/terrace, no of bedrooms(if known). You can if you wish make 4 copies so that the Tribunal can have a copy in front of them.

list it as

CT band Sale price Sale date Type Beds Further Information
(your home)

1 high st

2 high st

etc

Where I have put type this means detached/semi/terrace, Tribunal will want to know this. The headings should be to the right of the addresses

familyguy321

lincroft1710 wrote: »

I would suggest you first have a read of VT website

https://www.valuationtribunal.gov.uk

Lots of info especially on case preparation. The CT Guidance manual is under revision, which is why you probably didn't receive a copy. If you need any more information phone them and if they can't help please repost.

Just have all the information you used in the appeal typed up so it shows the property addresses and all relevant info pertaining to that property especially CT band, date of sale, sale price, whether detached/semi/terrace, no of bedrooms(if known). You can if you wish make 4 copies so that the Tribunal can have a copy in front of them.

list it as

CT band Sale price Sale date Type Beds Further Information
(your home)

1 high st

2 high st

etc

Where I have put type this means detached/semi/terrace, Tribunal will want to know this. The headings should be to the right of the addresses

Lincroft,

Thanks for the quick reply and info. I will have a look through the guidance on the VT website.

Good tip on printing 4 copies - I'll definitely be doing that.

FG

familyguy321

lincroft1710 wrote: »

I would suggest you first have a read of VT website

https://www.valuationtribunal.gov.uk

Lots of info especially on case preparation. The CT Guidance manual is under revision, which is why you probably didn't receive a copy. If you need any more information phone them and if they can't help please repost.

Just have all the information you used in the appeal typed up so it shows the property addresses and all relevant info pertaining to that property especially CT band, date of sale, sale price, whether detached/semi/terrace, no of bedrooms(if known). You can if you wish make 4 copies so that the Tribunal can have a copy in front of them.

list it as

CT band Sale price Sale date Type Beds Further Information
(your home)

1 high st

2 high st

etc

Where I have put type this means detached/semi/terrace, Tribunal will want to know this. The headings should be to the right of the addresses

Interestingly, I've just had a call from the local valuation office.

The guy I spoke to said he would like to come round to have a look at the property to see if this can be resolved prior to the hearing. I couldn't do any of the appointments he had available next week so he said he will have a look from the outside instead (and take a photo) when he is in the area next week. He will then be in touch if an internal inspection is required.

Is this normal practice?

FG

lincroft1710

familyguy321 wrote: »

Is this normal practice?

Yes, VOA doing exactly what they should be doing

familyguy321

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Yes, VOA doing exactly what they should be doing

The valuation officer has got in touch following an external viewing of the property.

His conclusion was that the property is in the correct band (C) because the living space had increased due to the garage being converted into a room and that the floorspace is more than the properties which have Band B classification on the street. He also mentioned that someone else on the street had gone to tribunal regarding their Band C status and they were unsuccessful.

Is it still worth going to the tribunal now?

FG

lincroft1710

familyguy321 wrote: »

He also mentioned that someone else on the street had gone to tribunal regarding their Band C status and they were unsuccessful.

Is it still worth going to the tribunal now?

If it was a house of similar type and size to yours it probably isn't worth going.

Maxjim

I sent my request to change bands from E to D based on 1) the fact that all the other houses in my street (except two) are in the lower band, including my immediate neighbour, and including many that are larger properties with four bedrooms whilst mine has only three, and 2) the fact that the valuation of the property in April 1991 is estimated to be in band D.

I received my reply yesterday and my request has been rejected based on the fact that I have been responsible for the council tax for more than six months (I bought it in 1998).

Am I correct in thinking that there had been some ruling to say that there shouldn't be a six month deadline for this? If it's wrong, it's wrong and the fact that I haven't acted sooner shouldn't matter (I've only just found out the banding is wrong).

Can anyone help me? I've downloaded the appeal form but aren't sure what to put as the reason. It appears that the six month rule is the only reason for my request being declined...

lincroft1710

Maxjim wrote: »

I received my reply yesterday and my request has been rejected based on the fact that I have been responsible for the council tax for more than six months (I bought it in 1998).

Am I correct in thinking that there had been some ruling to say that there shouldn't be a six month deadline for this? If it's wrong, it's wrong and the fact that I haven't acted sooner shouldn't matter (I've only just found out the banding is wrong).

Can anyone help me? I've downloaded the appeal form but aren't sure what to put as the reason. It appears that the six month rule is the only reason for my request being declined...

If you made an appeal against your CT band using the online system, then it will be rejected as being out of time. There is no point in appealing this decision. What you should ask VOA to do, is investigate your band based on the information supplied.

Maxjim

Thanks Lincroft
Do you know if there is a standard form to use when asking the VOA to investigate my band?