Council Tax Rebanding SUCCESS stories

CSL_2

LBC: Lambeth
CTB Before: D
CTB After: C
Amount refunded 561-94
Coverered period 1993 to 2008 (15years)
Annual Saving going forward 137-23

It took 8 months to get processed. Provided details of 6 other very similar one bed semis in SW17, SE1 and SE11 postal codes. Case was treated as a "Second Review". It was very hard work finding 6 similar one bed semis but worth all that effort.

guppy

Well done CSL, glad you got there eventually after all the effort you put in

vivatifosi

I second Guppy, I know what effort you put in CSL and I'm really thrilled to see that its paid out for you. Congratulations!

Midnight_Cowboy_2

Was: Band D (£1,395.99)
Now: Band C (£1,240.88)
Saving: £155.11 a year
Refund: about £1000

I'd always suspected my house was in too high a band, but never protested it because my local council has a 'rule' which is that they won't review bandings after you have lived in the property 6 months. The rule, though, is just an excuse to fob you off; you have the right to ask for a band review because the VOA (valuation office) is legally obliged to ensure that your property is in the right band. I didn't know that at the time, so I'd given up.

Then, I received a random mailing from an estate agent. They were sending out copies of ancient house details as a marketing excuse, and sent me details of my house which had been on the market in 1990, well within the Band C price range.

Armed with this and some backtracked figures from the Nationwide & OPDM websites showing the same thing, I called the local VOA office. At first they tried to fob me off with their '6 month' rule, but I stated that they have a legal obligation to ensure that my property is in the right band, and they said they would do a band review. They asked me what evidence I had, but they weren't interested in seeing it.

The council says there may be a 2 month wait for a band review, and to be honest I was expecting a fight, but no: within 2-3 weeks they have written to me saying that my band has been lowered. Even better, I have been refunded back to the time I moved into the property, 10 years ago, so the refund is about £1000. Result! And proof that it's definitely worth asking for a review, and persisting if your local VOA says no, because it's your right!

Good luck
I'm off to spend my grand :beer:

bob45

Local Borough Council: Chelmsford Borough Council
Council Tax Band Before:F
Council Tax Band After:E
Amount refunded:£2854
Annual saving going forward:£300

Read the background info on Martin's website applied direct to the local Valuation Office in Chelmsford and received reply in 5 weeks confirming reduction from F to E band. Tips use Valuation Office website links to check other addresses in your area and the Nationwide website for valuation of your property for 1991.
Refunds from Council came within a week of VO letter, now for the interest.
UPDATE: Received letter from VOA (03/10/2008) no interest will be paid qoute from letter "we are not resourced, and have no legal duty, to check the council tax bands of every domestic property that sells" Appears the public have to check their band against others and submit an challenge.

clyons

I recently decided to follow the steps outlined to see if I could get my council tax reduced. I noticed a house a few doors away was on a lower band (E) than us (F).
I phoned our council (Wirral) and with just one phone call I was told it would be reviewed.
I was amazed to receive a letter informing us that we had been rebanded and the overcharge would be backdated to 2003. Arrears of £1300 refunded plus a saving of approx £300 a year in future!
Martin Lewis, you are a God in my eyes and I worship the ground you walk on. Keep up the good work!

liz23_2

Local Borough Council: Sutton
Council Tax Band Before: E
Council Tax Band After: D
Amount refunded: £2100

I tried a few year ago to get re-banded but no luck. I phoned in March 08 after following instructions on MSE, I am one half of a semi, the other half is band D. I had done my research and most of the houses on my road were D with the exception of the detached houses who were band E. A few weeks after my phone call someone rang me, I gave him the information I had and he said that we were probably in the right band but my neighbours were not so they might have their bands put up! I waited until last week and had I heard nothing more, so emailed him to ask what the outcome was, hey presto the next day I had a letter saying my band had been put down, 2 days later I had my letter from the billing dept with my credit! We have been here since 1999, but it is backdated to 1993, we are still in contact with the previous owner so he will be pleased to hear that he is due some money.
I am also going to ask if we can get interest - hey why not????

Thank you Martin, we owe you a beer !!!! xxxx

oxfppi

Local council: West Berkshire Council
Council Tax Band Before: G
Council Tax Band After: F
saving: £307 a year!!!!
Amount Refunded over £2000 (not yet received)

:T We were rebanded when we moved into our house in 1995 from F to G. At the time we didnt protest becuase we didnt want to fall out with all the neighbours who were on band F. We assumed houses would be rebanded as they were sold. After Martins TV piece i followed the links and checked and found we were the only ones who were banded G among a lot of similar and bigger houses even those which had been sold since. It took nearly 4 months but finally they agreed we were in the wrong band. Thanks Martin - great advice and great routes through the problem.

We have been rate tarting using your advice for 5 years as well so we owe you one!!

poodledoodle_2

Peterborough City Council


Previously Band D

Now Band C:beer:

Thanks to Peterborough City Council £1402 refunded directly to the bank account. This took quite a long time to get reviewed, first appealed via the instructions on this website at the end of March 2008, no valid reason to appeal so Valuation Officer agreed to investigate to make sure the banding was being applied in a 'fair and consistent' way. Our neighbours in similar properties were mostly band C with one or two exceptions (including us). Have just received the confirmation of change of banding at the end of July. This was well worth the wait and virtually effortless to achieve. No complicated forms to complete.

Passed the same information on to my parents who have just been advised by South Kesteven D C that they are to have their property re banded as well, they will be expecting a similar refund. Theirs took a lot less time to investigate, only a few weeks, this may have been because they did it over the phone.

Everyone else this is definitely worth giving a go.:j

andrebuys

Local council: South Cambridgeshire district council
Council Tax Band Before: D
Council Tax Band After: C
saving: About £150 a year
Amount Refunded ??? (not yet received)

Got my bill adjusted for remainder of the 2008/2009 year however i have been paying wrong tax since October 2005, still dont know if i am getting a refund?? Am i entitled to refund? will drop them a email and wait and see?