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

lincroft1710

CIS wrote: »

I'd be amazed if there was any other response from the VOA. Unless they spot an error they wish to change then there is no incentive for them to even look in to the case again.

As you say, the VOA response would be "the band was fully investigated on xx/yy/zzzz and found to be correct."

ddks

Hi,

Still on this one! Have so much sales info, I cannot see the wood through the trees!

4 bed, double grg - 162m2 - 89,950 Oct 1990 - Band E
4 bed, single grg - 157m2 - 130,750 Nov 1990 Band F (1970's a mile away & one of 4 individually built properties)
4 bed, double grg, 169m2 - 137,000 Nov 1990 (no changes band F to E backdated to 1996)
4 bed, single grg - 152m2 - 79,950 April 1991 - Band D (1970's, not on the estate)
5 Bed, double grg-137m2 - 114,000 Feb 1991 - Band E
5 Bed, double grg -190m2 - 125,000 May 1991 - Band E
4 bed, double grg- 123m2 - 92,000 July 1991 - Band E
4 Bed, double grg- 150m2 - 104,000 May 1993 - Band E

The 5 bed is the only property on the estate of its type in a band E, it's on a shared driveway (but so is an identical one but that's in a band F).

I have visited the BA & made a copy of the VOA list, which was updated in 2002, it shows an effective date 01.04.93 for their current bands) Neither property was extended prior to 2002 - so based on that, I can't see that a shared driveway would affect prices!

The VOA have reviewed the area. Improvement indicator has popped up only on the 150m2 property (never extended) identical ones have not been touched.

I have asked for copies of proposals relating to the properties....4 months & still waiting.

What am I missing??

lincroft1710

I don't think you have any entitlement to see copies of proposals on other dwellings.

Some of those prices, sizes and CT bands seem anomalous on paper.

ddks

lincroft1710 wrote: »

I don't think you have any entitlement to see copies of proposals on other dwellings.

Some of those prices, sizes and CT bands seem anomalous on paper.

All proposals are public documents and any member of the public can request copies of proposals (section 29 LGFA 1992).

I know the market was in recovery (in our area) from 1991 & all the sales are from a very broad area within the town.

Looking at sales just on the estate, the anomaly is the sale for 137,000 in November 1991! An identical property on the same close has always been in a band E.
4 beds measuring up to 190m2 have always been a band E since 1993. Which is probably why they reduced it?!

I can't imagine the market took a sharp rise from Oct to Nov, then a sharp decline, then a sharp increase in July 1991.

The sale in Oct 1990 is on a shared driveway, the sale in May 1993 (150m2) is also on a shared driveway. The 5 bed is also in a similar position.

I cannot imagine that the 5 bed has been placed in a band E in the absence of sales information or in the absence of a proposal.
So confused.

lincroft1710

The house prices in the areas I dealt with all fell from 1989 to 1995, as did most in the country so I can't really advise as your area appears to have bucked national trends.

You're correct about the request to see the proposals, but I've never ever known of anyone exercising this right or that it even existed. Are you sure that proposals were made against the dwellings you asked for?

ddks

lincroft1710 wrote: »

The house prices in the areas I dealt with all fell from 1989 to 1995, as did most in the country so I can't really advise as your area appears to have bucked national trends.

You're correct about the request to see the proposals, but I've never ever known of anyone exercising this right or that even existed. Are you sure that proposals were made against the dwellings you asked for?

I did see a report from the BA stating the situation in the area was unusual, as sales receipts were high. I've looked through newspapers & prices were on the rise.

A request has been made 9 proposals have been found, 2 hard copies cannot be found. I've asked for the addresses (still waiting, appear to be dragging their heels). Stood back & looked at these properties & they either similar in size or bigger in a band E.
Similar properties built by the same builder in 1995 on the same estate in a band F.

I've also asked for a copy of a proposal for one which was determined at VTS, confirmed band E - the VOA never argued against the decision. Identical property across the road determined band F?!

Miel2

Hi,
I’m new to this and didn’t know how to write a new post, so I tapped on the reply button.
I bought the flat I live in in December 2017 and went through the neighbour check and the calculator. It seems my flat should be one band lower and there’s a mix of two bands (C+D) throughout other comparable flats. I just don’t know whether challenging the council tax band applies to a block of flats built in 2010. Also, how high is the risk of the council just bringing every flat to band D?
Thanks in advance!:)

rhea83

Hi all... does it matter or make a difference if the flat i live in was built around 2007?

Im struggling with the fact that I am in band C... but all valuations as per the article says B... all my neighbours are C but then they could all be on the wrong band too...

I need help with this one as I need to be certain it wont go up... It surely cant go up though... Im a flat!

lincroft1710

The CT band of a flat can be increased if it is found to be incorrect. House Price Indices are inaccurate, so Band C may be correct

ddks

Miel2 wrote: »

Hi,
I’m new to this and didn’t know how to write a new post, so I tapped on the reply button.
I bought the flat I live in in December 2017 and went through the neighbour check and the calculator. It seems my flat should be one band lower and there’s a mix of two bands (C+D) throughout other comparable flats. I just don’t know whether challenging the council tax band applies to a block of flats built in 2010. Also, how high is the risk of the council just bringing every flat to band D?
Thanks in advance!:)

Hi Miel2,

Have you had a look on the Valuation Tribunal Service site for any similar appeals for flats in your area? Select "Decisions & Listings" enter the the first 4 characters of your postcode.

In some cases addresses, price paid & sale date are listed - would give you some indication of 1991 values