Council Tax valuations

DeeDee08_2

I'm looking to buy a new house and was checking council tax charges on-line (VOA website) One property has an 'improvement indicator' which suggests its extension will increase the charge once sold. The thing is the property isn't excessively expensive (asking price fits with current band) and a band increase would put it above all the other properties in the street. Does anybody know how this works? Thought you might have some insight before I contact the valuation office directly. Thanks:p

lincroft1710

Basically when the house is sold the VOA will come out and measure the extension. They will then decide whether or not the extension warrants a band increase. If you let the VOA know details and measurements of the extension they may be able to say if they think the band would increase or not, but they may give a very guarded opinion.

My advice would always be to budget for a band increase

DeeDee08_2

Thanks for that. So it's basically the size of the extension? - it hasn't increased number of bedrooms or even the value too much. Shame I can't find out before buying. May contact VOA as suggested.

Will have to consider giving this one a miss and it looked so nice!

Currently living in Band C - increase would push new house to F - that's a big jump! had budgeted for E as that is the highest band in area for 4 beds.

Will post how I get on, thanks again

lincroft1710

It doesn't have to be a large extension to increase the band. A 150 sq metre house may have sold for £118K (Band E) in 1991, but a 155 sq metre house may have gone for £122K (Band F). So in this case a 5 sq metre extension added to a 150 sq metre house would have the potential to increase the band.