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

jdb235

Hi, I'm looking for some advice.

I recently purchased a new build flat which is part of a block of six flats. All the flats are essentially identical - they have the same floor space but slightly different layouts. Several of the other flats were sold a few months before mine and so they had already been banded by the time I moved in. As such, I was expecting mine to be banded the same as theirs and sure enough, a few weeks ago I had the letter from the VOA informing me of my flat's new entry in the valuation list as band B, which is the same as the other flats.

However, based on what I paid for the flat (£165,000 in Q4 of 2019, in the South West) according to the Nationwide calculator, that would put it in band A (just). I'm therefore thinking of appealing as it's easily within the 6 month period from the date of the notice, but I'm not sure how strong my case is as I won't be able to provide much evidence, other than proof of what I paid for it last year. Is it likely to be worth me going to the effort of appealing?

Shaznay1

Anyone else been told by a scottish council there's at least an 18 month wait for review of council tax banding? Put my request in last February and no further forward. Is there a set amount of time for these requests to be looked at? Thanks

lincroft1710

jdb235 said:

However, based on what I paid for the flat (£165,000 in Q4 of 2019, in the South West) according to the Nationwide calculator, that would put it in band A (just). I'm therefore thinking of appealing as it's easily within the 6 month period from the date of the notice, but I'm not sure how strong my case is as I won't be able to provide much evidence, other than proof of what I paid for it last year. Is it likely to be worth me going to the effort of appealing?

The NW calculator is inaccurate and too generalised, usually undervaluing 1991 prices, so you will need better evidence if you want to appeal. See if you can any recently built flats nearby of a similar size in Band A 

jdb235

lincroft1710 said:

jdb235 said:

However, based on what I paid for the flat (£165,000 in Q4 of 2019, in the South West) according to the Nationwide calculator, that would put it in band A (just). I'm therefore thinking of appealing as it's easily within the 6 month period from the date of the notice, but I'm not sure how strong my case is as I won't be able to provide much evidence, other than proof of what I paid for it last year. Is it likely to be worth me going to the effort of appealing?

The NW calculator is inaccurate and too generalised, usually undervaluing 1991 prices, so you will need better evidence if you want to appeal. See if you can any recently built flats nearby of a similar size in Band A 

Thanks - how recently built would you say they need to be (and how local)? The majority of nearby flats seem to have been built 15 or more years ago, and the block which mine is in was a standalone development amongst mostly older properties.

lincroft1710

jdb235 said:

lincroft1710 said:

jdb235 said:

However, based on what I paid for the flat (£165,000 in Q4 of 2019, in the South West) according to the Nationwide calculator, that would put it in band A (just). I'm therefore thinking of appealing as it's easily within the 6 month period from the date of the notice, but I'm not sure how strong my case is as I won't be able to provide much evidence, other than proof of what I paid for it last year. Is it likely to be worth me going to the effort of appealing?

The NW calculator is inaccurate and too generalised, usually undervaluing 1991 prices, so you will need better evidence if you want to appeal. See if you can any recently built flats nearby of a similar size in Band A 

Thanks - how recently built would you say they need to be (and how local)? The majority of nearby flats seem to have been built 15 or more years ago, and the block which mine is in was a standalone development amongst mostly older properties.

You can only use what you can find. 15 yrs older isn't that old in property terms and in any case the VOA will decide if it is comparable or not with your apartment.. 

R_Chee29

Hello,
I am new to MSE. After reading the article on council tax bands, I reviewed the band of my previous rented accomodation in which I lived in 2016-17. It was a flat in a block of 38 flats of which 36 flats are identical. At that time, my flat was in band E. 
When I did the Neighbour's check, I noticed that the all 36 identical flats in that block (including mine) are currently in band F. However, when I did the Valuation check for the 36 flats (based on sale prices available on Zoopla), i noticed that all flats fall in band D.
It would be very helpful if you could please advise if I should challenge the band. If I am successful, it will result in downgraded to D and I will be eligible for a refund. However, if I am not successful is there a chance that I become liable to pay council tax for F band for the period I lived there? 
Please also note that the remaining 2 flats (which are top floor flats) are currently in band G and as per the valuation check too, they fall in band G. Is it possible that the banding of these 2 flats could have influenced the remaining 36 flats?

CIS

However, if I am not successful is there a chance that I become liable to pay council tax for F band for the period I lived there?

The band could be increased if incorrect but it's very rare. An increase wouldn't be backdated.

As you currently have no connection to the property you cannot challenge the band.

R_Chee29

CIS said:

However, if I am not successful is there a chance that I become liable to pay council tax for F band for the period I lived there?

The band could be increased if incorrect but it's very rare. An increase wouldn't be backdated.

As you currently have no connection to the property you cannot challenge the band.

Thanks for your response - So does it mean I have no option at all to claim refund of potential excess payment of council tax?

lincroft1710

Zoopla prices are even more inaccurate than either Nationwide or Halifax house price indices which always tend to undervalue when it comes to 1991 prices. As the flats have been increased from Band E to Band F, it doesn't look like Band E was too high. So you do not appear to have overpaid.

R_Chee29

lincroft1710 said:

Zoopla prices are even more inaccurate than either Nationwide or Halifax house price indices which always tend to undervalue when it comes to 1991 prices. As the flats have been increased from Band E to Band F, it doesn't look like Band E was too high. So you do not appear to have overpaid.

Thanks very much, this is very helpful.