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

ddks

lincroft1710 wrote: »

............

Changes in the local area, which have impacted house prices can reflected.
I did state don't rely on prices in the paper. I personally found a property being marketed in the paper, I managed to identify the property. I spoke to the owners (luckily they were the original owners) they confirmed it was their property but never had it on the market!
The 1% is still too high!
FOI - Stated where there is no effective date on the electronic database, the bands have been reviewed.
Yes, sorry. Thanks for the correction - yes the taxpayer

lincroft1710

ddks wrote: »

Changes in the local area, which have impacted house prices can reflected.

There is a big difference in can be reflected and is reflected. Even when physical changes occur in an area, the VOA rarely reflect this in the banding of new dwellings, unless it would solely affect said dwellings, when they may reflect the change.

If there is a physical change in an area which would reduce a dwelling's value, then an appeal may be made and the "6 months since first occupied" rule does not apply. However the change would have to be quite drastic to reduce the value and this will not automatically lead to a band reduction.

I did state don't rely on prices in the paper. I personally found a property being marketed in the paper, I managed to identify the property. I spoke to the owners (luckily they were the original owners) they confirmed it was their property but never had it on the market!

So a completely misleading and untrustworthy ad! How many more were also this!

The 1% is still too high!

Only an absolute maximum guess on my part and on reflection I am now thinking this was a one off. I personally never heard of this happening in my 12 years of being involved in CT at the VOA. If discovered such an occurrence would not be kept secret. I knew many colleagues who dealt with CT (in other offices as well as my own) and cannot think of a single one who would do such a thing.

If an individual caseworker was found to be falsifying information when defending a CT band, this would be gross misconduct and could lead to dismissal.

But I can think of several occasions where taxpayers have lied or given false information at a Valuation Tribunal

FOI - Stated where there is no effective date on the electronic database, the bands have been reviewed.

Not correct, In my own street no effective dates are shown and none of the bands have been reviewed

Yes, sorry. Thanks for the correction - yes the taxpayer

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ddks

Yes, a completely misleading ad! Overpriced by £45,000 compared to similar sized properties that sold in 1991.

I can well believe taxpayers are not always truthful with their evidence.

Information given by the VOA on a FOI response, is also not to be relied on?!

jrs101

Hello everyone,


I would appreciate peoples' opinions with regard to challenging a council tax banding.


I have valued the property and worked out the valuation from 1991 using the tool provided and the value of the property in 1991 has crept into band D by £67



£68,068 Property Value in 1991
Band D (£68,001- £88,000)



What do you think of putting in a challenge?


thanks

lincroft1710

jrs101 wrote: »

I have valued the property and worked out the valuation from 1991 using the tool provided and the value of the property in 1991 has crept into band D by £67

£68,068 Property Value in 1991
Band D (£68,001- £88,000)

What do you think of putting in a challenge?

thanks

As most house price indices and similar valuation tools tend to undervalue 1991 prices, I doubt you would be successful. If you did suggest to the VOA your home was worth £68,068 in 1991, the immediate reply would be "clearly Band D" or similar.

MigsyBigsy

Dear all,


just wondering if the number of bedrooms in a flat determines the Council Tax Band? My parents property has three bedrooms and is in Band D but it is in a council estate which I think is quite high.


thanks in advance

lincroft1710

MigsyBigsy wrote: »

Dear all,

just wondering if the number of bedrooms in a flat determines the Council Tax Band? My parents property has three bedrooms and is in Band D but it is in a council estate which I think is quite high.

thanks in advance

Not usually, the VOA tend to use primarily the size and type of a dwelling when banding. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms will play a part in the final calculation. Band D does seem high for a council flat in England, unless it is in London.

MigsyBigsy

it is in London


but the other flats on the estate range from B to D

lincroft1710

MigsyBigsy wrote: »

it is in London


but the other flats on the estate range from B to D

The probability is that the Band D are much larger than Band B flats

Lawsy72

So I have successfully been re-banded!

Does anyone know who I write to about the rebate?
Is it my local council or the VOA?

Thanks in advance