Council Tax Change in Band

jahudson72

Hi, I need some advice please from anyone who knows more than I do about council tax. We have recently moved house and I believed the property to be in Band D.

I have had today a letter from the valuations department saying that they are changing our band to E as there is an extension on the property. The extension was put on by the previous owner - the council say they can't change the tax band until a change in ownership of the property or a review of council tax bands.

This is £350.00 a year I hadn't budgeted for. Can or should I appeal?

Many thanks for your help.

MissMoneypenny

That's how it works, I'm afraid; any tax band changes happen when a new person moves into the property. Have you cheked the VOA site to see what your neighbours are paying? This could be used as a guide to see if the original D band was correct.
http://www.voa.gov.uk/cti/InitS.asp?lcn=0

Also, be aware of this:
Council tax bands in England are based on property valuations at 1 April 1991. Council tax bands for Wales were revalued on 1 April 2005 based on property values as at 1 April 2003.
http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/CouncilTax/index.html

My council told me that England were due to have their council tax bands revalued in 2008, but this has been delayed.

Red_dog_Sam

It is the case that improvements to a property that increase it's value can affect the band it is in - but not until it is sold when the new owner faces a revaluation.
However, the band should still reflect the assumed value it would've had on April 1st 1991 taking the extension into account.

But yes - you can appeal - it's straightforward and doesn't cost you anything so you have nothing to lose and £350 a year to gain - so you probably should do so. Anyone buying a property has 6 months in which they can appeal against the band it is in.

This link will give you more information on what to do.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/YourlocalcouncilandCouncilTax/CouncilTax/DG_10037424