Should I challenge my Council Tax band in my circumstanes?

Tunstallstoven

Hi all

We moved into our property 5 months ago, so - with the 6 month mark fast approaching - I thought I'd best get my skates on if I'm going to appeal my CT banding.

My house was built in 1993 so I cannot get a price for 1991. It is a semi detached with a house of the same size and type (albeit with a garage which we do not have) next door. We are both Band C. The house next door was built a couple of years after our one.

I live in rural Norfolk and these two houses are the only ones of this type in the hamlet. Next door to us are 4 ex-LA houses. They have substantially larger gardens and I'm guessing the houses are either similar size or larger inside. I'd rather not go round to them to find out how large their houses are as I don't really know them. But judging from the outside - and from the usual layout/number of rooms of most LA houses - I think they'll be roughly the same or bigger. The four ex-LA houses are all Band B.

I've used the MSA calculator to work out the 1991 price for my house and it comes out as £55,941. It therefore suggests our banding of C is correct, as the range for C is £52,001-£68,000.

I was wondering whether anyone familiar with the process would still recommend us giving a re-banding a go with the info I have, and bearing in mind the 4 ex-LA houses are Band B? Or is there anything else I can do to find out if it is worth going for a re-banding?

Incidentally, the lady who lived here before bought the property from new in 1993. If it would help, I can try to find out how much she paid for it then. Or would that be of no use?

Any help would be great.

Cheers

Max

PS - would also be interesting to know what determines the banding decision - house size? location? garden size? number of bedrooms, etc etc?

lincroft1710

I'm ex VOA. Council built properties tended to fetch less money than private built housing in 1991 and so were banded lower despite possibly being larger and having substantial gardens. In some areas 3 bed council built semis were universally Band B, whereas similar private built were Band C or D. The 1993 sale price may be helpful, it could well be up 20% lower than 1991 value.

VOA usually primarily compare house sizes of properties of a similar type and age, although everything that would affect price is taken into consideration. Band C does not seem unreasonable for a private built 3 bed semi.

Tunstallstoven

So - a bit of an unfair question perhaps - but would your recommend I go for it?

Thanks a bundle for the help!

lincroft1710

I think your band is probably correct, but if you have doubts you should appeal, only costs you your time.

Tunstallstoven

Thanks for you time and help.

I think we'll go for it then. Only thing we are a bit worried about id that we would be put up to a "D" (we know very little about all this). Do you think there's much chance of that happening?

Cheers

Max

ILW

Max_Dread wrote: »

Thanks for you time and help.

I think we'll go for it then. Only thing we are a bit worried about id that we would be put up to a "D" (we know very little about all this). Do you think there's much chance of that happening?

Cheers

Max

They could up the band, it is as gamble only you can decide if you wish to take.

lincroft1710

I do not think your band would be increased to a D from the info you've given.