Council Tax Rebanding SUCCESS stories

pablomarmite

I moved into my house at the end of January 2020. I was surprised to see the property was F when other similar sized properties on the same estate ( and more expensive)  we had viewed were E. The problem was according to the Nationwide Price Index, when built, the property was just in F as well the only two identical houses were my two neighbours, who were as also F. However using all subsequent sales the property was in the middle of E. Initially I tried an informal review but the valuation office said I had not provided enough information and that as I was in the 6 month period I should make an official request. However the worry was that the properties I would select as evidence may be increased to F and as a public document they would know it was me. I sat on it for a few weeks and then decided to go for. In the end of the day it was £400 a year and my next door neighbours would be entitled to a huge refund (£5000) if I was successful. So on Friday I got the email to say I was successful and we would be altered to E. I immediately told the neighbours and how they could challenge theirs. There was no need, they have changed mine and the two neighbours to E as of today! They are now very excited awaiting a letter from the council. Safe to say I am a popular new neighbour!!

stuartsroberts61

Hi, not sure if anyone can help.
I have just been told by the assessor my council tax banding is to be altered from  band G to band F....next step is they will inform the local council. Does anyone know how calculation works to calculate what refund is due. eg If  I have been overpaying for 20 years by £100 is the refund £2000 or are there interest calculations included that would increase that amount.

Thanks in advance
Stuart 

lincroft1710

stuartsroberts61 said:

Hi, not sure if anyone can help.
I have just been told by the assessor my council tax banding is to be altered from  band G to band F....next step is they will inform the local council. Does anyone know how calculation works to calculate what refund is due. eg If  I have been overpaying for 20 years by £100 is the refund £2000 or are there interest calculations included that would increase that amount.

Thanks in advance
Stuart 

I am not sure about Scotland, but there is no requirement in English CT legislation for interest to be paid. You should be refunded the difference between the amount payable for each year between your current and previous band

Johnpcollins

local authority: Bassetlaw
Band before: E
Band after: D
Refund amount: £3,700
We moved here from Colchester in 2010 from a Band D property. We were surprised at the increase, but loved it so much here with more outside space and openness that we have little more thought.  It wasn't until reading Martin Lewis's article that i investigated.  Simple process.  Only one neighbour with very similar house was band D. At least 6 houses similar in the area also band D, so i asked for a review.  Used the Nationwide house price calculator and submitted this as evidence.  Was advised would take up to 2 months.  One week later received email advising remanded to D.  My council wrote a few days later to advise will calculate overpayment and advise.  I received a full refund/credit for this year's payment of about £1500 and a repayment of £2,200 covering the years 2010 - 2019. Thank you Martin!

StephenM_2

I once received an unsolicited council tax refund completely out of the blue about 20 years after I sold and moved out of the house in question. I'm guessing the owner had a successful rebanding claim so the council backdated it to everyone who owned the house since council tax startrd

vespaeeyore

If the VOA have replied to my VOA request stating they cannot review as I have not provided enough evidence for the 2 years after 1991 for 'similar' properties within a 2 mile radius, but public Land Registry records are only available for 1995 onwards, where can I find any sold price records for 1991 - 1993 for my area??

lincroft1710

vespaeeyore said:

If the VOA have replied to my VOA request stating they cannot review as I have not provided enough evidence for the 2 years after 1991 for 'similar' properties within a 2 mile radius, but public Land Registry records are only available for 1995 onwards, where can I find any sold price records for 1991 - 1993 for my area??

You can't as they are not in the public domain. You may be able to find archived newspaper ads, but they will only show asking prices. You can look at 1995 sold prices and add about 30% which, depending on area could give you a rough approximation of 1991  value. Also try looking to see if you can find similar properties nearby in a lower band.

hss

It is very interesting to see these success stories, but I have tried at least 3 times in the past without success. I live in Loughton Essex, part of Epping Forest District Council. My house as well as others down my road, are mainly band D. I am 2 bed mid terrace no extension, whilst others have been extended all ways. It is likely should they sell, the house would go up to a band E as there is no band C in my area. So in theory I am in the right banding as the houses all look the same from the outside. But they get away with Band D, like me, so very unfair unless they sell.

rachaelsmith82

vespaeeyore said:

If the VOA have replied to my VOA request stating they cannot review as I have not provided enough evidence for the 2 years after 1991 for 'similar' properties within a 2 mile radius, but public Land Registry records are only available for 1995 onwards, where can I find any sold price records for 1991 - 1993 for my area??

I have this same query! I live in Scotland and have just received letter rejecting my application to move to D band. I live in 3 bed flat ( 1 of 9 in the block) All of the other flats are band D apart from me who is an E. My Flat is slightly larger but many of the other flats have balconies which mine does not. The flats were all similarly priced when they were built - mine was a couple of thousand more. I am going to appeal as I really struggle that my friends lovely period semi detached house a street away, which she bought for £265,000 last year, is in the same bracket as mine which I paid £148,000 in November!! When I asked the man that visited the property from the valuation board, he said that at that time period stone properties were not at all sought after and much cheaper is thats why there is such a discrepancy nowadays!!! It just seems madness.. I am currently pulling as much data as possible but struggling for real prices from 1991 which would be my best bet. The rejection letter I received stated that one flat in my block sold for £58,000 in august 1991 which is his main basis for rejection. Whilst I acknowledge that my flat is slightly bigger - his does have the balcony and I have a feeling this sale price was perhaps over the valuation ( though hard for me to prove ) I have checked every other flat price in block and used nationwide calculator ( realise this isn't official) and every single one shows the 1991 price at way under the £58,000 mark. 

Really struggling with how to get data if this is the only way I can provide evidence. I just feel unfair for him to rule based primarily on one sale price - this could be an anomaly and think a larger pool should be selected for fairness. 

If anyone has any hints / advice it would be GREATLY appreciated! 

Also - what is the exact criteria the valuation board use? The guy I spoke to said Square footage was one thing and how many rooms. I feel there should be set things - as ambiguity can make this quite an unfair process!

lincroft1710

hss said:

It is very interesting to see these success stories, but I have tried at least 3 times in the past without success. I live in Loughton Essex, part of Epping Forest District Council. My house as well as others down my road, are mainly band D. I am 2 bed mid terrace no extension, whilst others have been extended all ways. It is likely should they sell, the house would go up to a band E as there is no band C in my area. So in theory I am in the right banding as the houses all look the same from the outside. But they get away with Band D, like me, so very unfair unless they sell.

Should you choose to extend then you would also benefit from this quirk of CT legislation.