Council Tax Rebanding SUCCESS stories

jimmyq

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Jimmy - house price calculators are inaccurate, so you will need more ammunition to back up your claim. Look in adjoining streets for similar size/type houses as your mum's which are in lower band. Also try and find archived newspaper property ads for 1991 to see what asking prices for similar houses were.

many thanks for your reply

right then, there are only 4 properties in adjoining street that are in Band C but 100ish+other properties in same street and other adjoining street that are in Band D.

So, is it now simply just a case of attempting to find archived newspaper property ads for 1991 from the local library? any other sources for that kind of information?

thanks again

lincroft1710

there are only 4 properties in adjoining street that are in Band C but 100ish+other properties in same street and other adjoining street that are in Band D.

That's not promising.

Some newspapers have offices which have access to back issues. It's doubtful if any estate agents still have 19 yr old sales details. VOA have sales details but cannot (as opposed to will not) disclose these unless a valid appeal has been made.

floridafun_2

Hi, i live in Renfrewshire Council area near Glasgow and after 8 months of letters i got a cheque for £1738 my neighbour next door got £1200 my friend who i bought my house from has also claimed and recieved £580 for the five years she was in the house before me because i was able to give her my letter showing proof of rebanding, so even though she has not lived in this house for 11 years she was still able to get money from council!!!!! brilliant result

needham

My property was built 9 years ago and banded D. Its a small 2bedroom end terrace, on a private estate. Older 2 and 3bedroom houses across the road are in band C. Can I argue that the property size compared to the older propertys should be taken into account?

lincroft1710

Needham - "older" may not make these houses a good comparison. The size is always taken into account when banding a property and your home also will have been compared to houses of a similar age. See if you can find any 2 beds of similar size and age as yours in the neighbourhood in Band C.

Aladdinn

I came across this site quite by accident - I think I saw an advert somewhere, thank you very Much Mr MoneySavingExpert!! - and following the recommended checks found I had been in a higher band than neighbours since the tax started, 1993 they told me. VA were VERY helpful, I only phoned to check how to go about putting an appeal in, and they just took details over the phone. Six weeks later, today I got a phone call, have been banded down from B to A, and am now to follow up with council.

One thing the VA man did say, that I have to negotiate the refund/rebate amount and method etc with the council. How does one do this, any tips anyone? I've been in the property since 1993, so expect a hefty amount.

Well done MSE.

lincroft1710

Aladdinn - I'm ex VOA and I never heard of refunds having to be negotiated, council will automatically work out amount and should send you a cheque. If it were a small amount then they would probably adjust amount to be owed for current (as we're in March, next) year's CT.

Aladdinn

Thanks for that Lincroft1710. The VA man was very clear though - he said any refund or rebate will have to be negotiated by yourself, as we don't get involved with the financial implication side. I asked him specifically if the council were unlikely to give a refund (assuming that was what he was hinting at), and he said taht was for me to negotiate. Anyway, can't be too bad either ways, waiting for council's letter or call now. Thanks.

sharpmantf1

Any body in the telford and wrekin area attempted rebanding on a 4 bed semi detatched house.?

CIS

Thanks for that Lincroft1710. The VA man was very clear though - he said any refund or rebate will have to be negotiated by yourself, as we don't get involved with the financial implication side. I asked him specifically if the council were unlikely to give a refund (assuming that was what he was hinting at), and he said taht was for me to negotiate. Anyway, can't be too bad either ways, waiting for council's letter or call now. Thanks.

I agree with Lincroft. I work in council tax and when the property is re-banded there is no negotiation required. The council have to recalculate based on the lower band and if this generates a credit it has to be paid, in full, to the person liable for the period upon request.