Council Tax Problems

dizzzyqueen

Ive just had an offer on my house but the people are put off as I am in band D. Just been on Martins council tax and I should be on Band C.
How do I get it changed? I can't click on the "appeal" button as I would be appealing against band C not the band D I am in?
Please someone help me!!!!

Wendy

A_Nice_Englishman

As it says on the page you looked at



If you feel your property band’s unfair, call or write to:

* In England and Wales; your Local Listing Officer
* In Scotland; your Local Assessor

You’ll be told how your band was decided, and have the opportunity to explain why you believe it is wrong and how it should be altered. Alternatively, you can appeal online via the VOA or SAA.

Councils state re-banding won’t be considered after you’ve lived in a property for six months past six months. Don’t let this ‘rule’ put you off; it isn’t based on any law. Regardless of length of residence, if you believe you’re in too high a band, there’s still a way to appeal against the council’s decision that your claim is invalid; many have, which has lead to scores of bands being lowered.

dizzzyqueen

VOA or SAA
what are they?
I did phone them and she told me I was lucky I wasnt being reassessed as it was all out of date. I was scared and humiliated when I came of the phone.
Ive lived here 2 years, what do I do next?

A_Nice_Englishman

Unfortunately some local council staff do tend to be patronising and even rude.

Why do you think you should be in Band C rather than D? If you can say why maybe someone who has successfully appealed can help.



From the same page (just above the bit I quoted before)



As size, location and layout are important elements when determining a property’s banding, everyone should compare their band against neighbours with a similar property. Of course you can ask them, but the information is available free on the web too.

* In England and Wales use the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
* In Scotland use the Scottish Assessors Association (SAA)

Simply enter your post code and then type in or select the house number of the property you want to probe. It’s worth noting that properties in Wales were re-valued last year; so if you’re Welsh your banding’s likely to be more accurate.

If the majority of your neighbours are in a lower banding than you, yet have a similar house, there’s the possibility of challenging your band. Do use good judgement; appealing could lead to the possibility of your band being increased just as much as being decreased.

dizzzyqueen

All my neighbours pay band B.
Ok so my house has a dormer but only one additional bedroom.
When I went on the banding site it said I should be C.

dizzzyqueen

Ok Ive just looked on the VOA site and it says band C for my house. I am paying band D.
What can I do?

A_Nice_Englishman

In that case my understanding is that you should be paying Band C and it sounds like a clerical error by the council. You'll have to get on the phone again (unfortunately!) and explain that you're not appealing against the banding but that you have been charged Band D council tax in error. You should get a refund.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

dizzzyqueen

When I phoned them they told me I was a band D and that I should be grateful as this was based on a property of upto 70k and if i complained it could go higher.
after ive looked at that and see i should be a band C, what should I say when i phone?

A_Nice_Englishman

I'd say that I'd looked on the VOA website and that said it was Band C and could they explain why they thought it was Band D. Do your Council let you check via their website? It would be interesting to see what that says.

dizzzyqueen

I will phone them first thing, and let you know the outcome.
Thanks for all your help tonight.
I may need more.

wendy

A_Nice_Englishman

Good Luck!

I'll check this thread tomroow to see how you get on.