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

lincroft1710

Paulasb12 wrote: »

I need help with appealing my council banding. I gave them the house value in 1997 and used the halifax pricing calculator to show the cost it would have been in 1991 but they want more evidence. They say halifax calculator isn't accepted and should use stamp duty. But in 1991 stamp duty wasn't paid on houses £600000 or under. What information can I use to reduce my council band. My house is in d band when it was worth and paid for £59950 in 1997 and the d band council tax is £68000 and over

In most of the country house prices fell from 1988/89 until about 1996. But in many areas 1997 values were still well below those of 1991, so your band may be correct. If there are plenty of similar houses in the neighbourhood, check their bands to see if any are in Band C. If they were built pre 1992 the VOA are likely to have relevant sales evidence anyway.

Both Halifax and Nationwide house price calculators are too general and inaccurate.

pompeycharles

I am in a flat and the council band is currently a band C, which I am and the manager of the letting agent was surprised. I was expecting a two bedroom flat to be in band A or band B. I have run valuation checks on the flat and it states it should be band A. I have contacted the letting agent to ask if a rebranding/ revaluation could be completed to ensure I am paying the correct council tax. The letting agent got back to me and said that the landlord is not willing to get a revaluation. What should I do from this and should I contact the council directly? TIA

lincroft1710

pompeycharles wrote: »

I am in a flat and the council band is currently a band C, which I am and the manager of the letting agent was surprised. I was expecting a two bedroom flat to be in band A or band B. I have run valuation checks on the flat and it states it should be band A. I have contacted the letting agent to ask if a rebranding/ revaluation could be completed to ensure I am paying the correct council tax. The letting agent got back to me and said that the landlord is not willing to get a revaluation. What should I do from this and should I contact the council directly? TIA

If you are paying the Council Tax then it is up to you to ask for a rebanding by contacting the Valuation Office Agency (England and Wales) or the Assessor (Scotland), not the council.

MigsyBigsy

Dear All

I have today emailed the VOA regarding re-branding my Council Tax. I completed the online checklist and added a few lines as to my disagreement with the Council's band:

I am currently in Band C, but the majoirty of the flats in the building are Band B. I have used the Nationwide figure which places my flat in Band B in 1991. Unfortunately I have been living in my property for 5 years and thefore not within the 6month threshfold. In addition, I have not included any substantive evidence in my email.

How likely is it that I would suceed in my claim?

Many thanks in advance.

Regards
Miguel

lincroft1710

MigsyBigsy wrote: »

I have not included any substantive evidence in my email.

How likely is it that I would suceed in my claim?

Unless someone at the VOA conscientiously checks the Band B flats and agrees they are in the correct band and yours is in the wrong band, not very likely.

Like all house price indices, the NW is inaccurate.

MigsyBigsy

Like all house price indices, the NW is inaccurate.[/QUOTE]


Where would i get accurate figures? tried on the land registry but no results appear?

lincroft1710

MigsyBigsy wrote: »

Where would i get accurate figures? tried on the land registry but no results appear?

Actual 1991 property prices are not in the public domain.

MigsyBigsy

Dear all

I have now received a response to my query from the The VAluation unit have now who require:
. Evidence of identical or very similar properties in your locality which are in a lower band
2. Sales evidence in your locality (within two years of the valuation date of 1st April 1991) which suggests your property might be incorrectly banded
3. Evidence that an error was made when your property was banded

How on earth am I able to obtain evidence on points 2 or 3 if there are no records available?

Very frustrating

lincroft1710

MigsyBigsy wrote: »

Dear all

I have now received a response to my query from the The VAluation unit have now who require:
. Evidence of identical or very similar properties in your locality which are in a lower band
2. Sales evidence in your locality (within two years of the valuation date of 1st April 1991) which suggests your property might be incorrectly banded
3. Evidence that an error was made when your property was banded

How on earth am I able to obtain evidence on points 2 or 3 if there are no records available?

Very frustrating

1. Use Google Street View to look for similar properties or walk/cycle/drive.

2. Ask neighbours of similar houses if their houses were sold during this period.

3. Have the VOA got the correct details of your home, e.g. correct size, no of rooms, whether terrace, semi or detached.

boatman

Friend tried to change from a band D and get it lowered. They refused, daft as there are places on band D worth twice the price next door, it should be no higher than a C, crazy system..