Council Tax Rebanding SUCCESS stories

snoopyscoot

I too was successful in receiving 16 years rebate. Council was Eden District Council, Penrith, Cumbria. Council Tax Band E rebanded to Band D. I received approx £4,500 - very happy!

Simonsaver

We moved into a house two years ago. I questioned the council tax rate with the VOA after reading the MSE article and extrapolating the value of our house back in 1993 from our sale price paid. Even though all our neighbours within a long way were the same band or higher our value was much lower than the banding then, based on our recent purchase price deflated back to 1993 if you see what I mean. I couldn't see our 1992/3 rateable value online since the house had not changed hands since before then. Even though MSE site suggested not to approach VOA based on the fact all our neighbours were the same or higher. We only have 2.5 bedrooms and all other houses around had 4 or more I went for it. SUCCESS - saving £300+ per year. My big question is does the prior owner have a claim if they were over paying from purchase before 1992? Do they have a claim on the council from my re-valuation? I can't read anywhere (despite google) if they do have a claim on the council for what would amount to a considerable refund. Is there a property lawyer out there who might comment on this please? I know how to contact the prior owner and I would not want to get there hopes up in anyway, however if they did have a genuine claim for a refund in a professionals opinion I feel I would be obliged to let them know of the opportunity. Has anyone else experienced this situation and what would the legal view be? I can't hope but feel there must be a precedent on this out there. Thanks in advance if someone can help, especially if from direct experience or knowledge of the law's position on this.

lincroft1710

Council Tax started on 1 April 1993.

If a CT band is reduced then any previous occupier who has overpaid is entitled to be refunded. Be aware that some councils have tried to restrict refunds to the past 6 years only.

Beckijane

Hello,

I am in the process of challenging my council tax, My neighbor to my right is a band B i am a Band C. in 1993 the houses were identical (neighbour has made renovations since), both 3 bed semi detached (his now a 4 bed semi with conservatory). I have had my 1st challenge rejected then my appeal rejected so i called my local valuations office and spoke to a the lady that rejected my appeal and arranged for her to visit my property. she was with me for 5 minutes took a picture of my kitchen and bathroom then told me that's it and the appeals team will be in touch with a decision! I now feel i am being fobbed off and in need of help as i very strongly believe my property is a Band B as mine and the other property are a mirrored version of each other and the valuations office are basing the appeal on my kitchen and bathroom which of course has been changed! any advice welcome with any steps i need to take or info i need to know.

Thanks

lincroft1710

Beckijane wrote: »

any advice welcome with any steps i need to take or info i need to know.

Thanks

When did you move into the property, because from what you have posted it reads as if you were out of time to make a valid appeal. Worst case scenario is that they could increase your neighbour's CT band

Mon£yMatt£rs

Local Borough Council: Rother District
Council Tax Band Before: F
Council Tax Band After: E
Amount refunded: £4008+
Annual saving going forward: £293

Followed Martin's instructions on the website, discovered other properties in same road were of a lower band, valuation of properties using Nationwide House Price Calculator also suggested lower band. Moved in to the property in 2004. Completed required forms. Received an email stating banding was correct and no change will be made. Next morning, received a second email stating first email was incorrect and now satisfied banding should be Band E not Band F and local council will be notified. Waited few weeks and have today received confirmation of refund.

Happy days! Thank you to Martin and the Team!

Jellybeanio

Hello,

I asked for a review of my council tax quite a few years ago due to the fact that 2 properties identical to my house which are just a few doors away from me were in a band lower. When I say identical, theirs are actually also larger plots. I was told that the 2 properties in the lower band were mistakes that would be rectified.

These properties are still today in a band lower than me. Do you have any experience of this scenario please? Would it be worth raising again?

Many thanks for any advice.

lincroft1710

Jellybeanio wrote: »

Hello,

I asked for a review of my council tax quite a few years ago due to the fact that 2 properties identical to my house which are just a few doors away from me were in a band lower. When I say identical, theirs are actually also larger plots. I was told that the 2 properties in the lower band were mistakes that would be rectified.

These properties are still today in a band lower than me. Do you have any experience of this scenario please? Would it be worth raising again?

Many thanks for any advice.

By raising it again, the bands of the other 2 houses would probably be increased this time.

Jellybeanio

Thank you for replying lincroft1710,

To be honest, I didn't know if I was being 'fobbed off' at the time as these 2 properties had actually been rebanded to a band lower, probably as a result of them asking for reviews. This was well before I asked for mine to be reviewed. One of them has even been sold in the meantime and as previously stated, the band remains unchanged. Also, rather interestingly, it now says on the website for these 2 houses, 'With effect from 2008' this is when I asked for my review. It used to say with effect from 1993, before I asked for my review. So, I don't know if they have made successful objections against an increase?

Can I ask? In your opinion, is it very unlikely that I would be rebanded based on this?

Also, there are countless terraced properties in my area which have been rebanded to a lower band and many of them are end terraces which are the same size as my semi, sometimes even having more land around them. They also sell for the same price as the semi's. How do you think the VOA would view this? I can only imagine that the aforementioned semi's were rebanded due to this.

Thanks very much again for your insight.

lincroft1710

Jellybeanio wrote: »

Thank you for replying lincroft1710,

To be honest, I didn't know if I was being 'fobbed off' at the time as these 2 properties had actually been rebanded to a band lower, probably as a result of them asking for reviews. This was well before I asked for mine to be reviewed. One of them has even been sold in the meantime and as previously stated, the band remains unchanged. Also, rather interestingly, it now says on the website for these 2 houses, 'With effect from 2008' this is when I asked for my review. It used to say with effect from 1993, before I asked for my review. So, I don't know if they have made successful objections against an increase?

Can I ask? In your opinion, is it very unlikely that I would be rebanded based on this?

Also, there are countless terraced properties in my area which have been rebanded to a lower band and many of them are end terraces which are the same size as my semi, sometimes even having more land around them. They also sell for the same price as the semi's. How do you think the VOA would view this? I can only imagine that the aforementioned semi's were rebanded due to this.

Thanks very much again for your insight.

It does look as if the band of the other property may have been increased but successfully appealed. You have nothing to lose, so it is worth approaching the VOA with all the info you've given above.