Council Tax re-banding request

debbie22

Hi all

My neighbour whose house is identical to mine sucessfully got their band changed from a B to A a couple of years ago (they had done this shortly after buying the house).

I have been paying band B council tax for my house for the last 19 years and have twice written to VO in recent years attempting to change my banding which resulted in invalidity notices, even after my immediate neighbour's was lowered. I did appeal to Valuaton Tribunual service back in 2010, but they also rejected me as I had exceeded the time limit to appeal.:(

Am I correct in understanding I have blown it forever?

I've dismissed ever getting my banding lowered a lost cause, but I now have new evidence that similar properties in the same street were selling for under £40k in early 1991 (I trawled the archives for old newspapers and photocopied several estate agents ads). Also a couple of identical houses to mine are band A, one of which was rebanded down (next door).

Is it worth another try in light of my new evidence, does anyone have any advice, please?

Thank you

lincroft1710

debbie22 wrote: »

Is it worth another try in light of my new evidence, does anyone have any advice, please?

I would phone and ask why you neighbour's house is in lower band to yours when they are both identical.

If you don't get anywhere write and ask them to investigate your band as it is higher than your neighbour's and also refer to the other evidence you have found. Do not use the word "appeal" in your letter.

davidjenkins

There's a time limit for appeal from the date a tax payer changes. I think it's six months. This is how your neighbour was able to get it changed.

lincroft1710

davidjenkins wrote: »

There's a time limit for appeal from the date a tax payer changes. I think it's six months. This is how your neighbour was able to get it changed.

If a CT band is incorrect, CT legislation allows the band to be changed at any time. Although there is a 6 month time limit for a new CT payer to make a valid appeal, a CT payer can make a request for a band review at any time, they just won't be able to have their case determined by a tribunal if VOA say no.

debbie22

Hi

I already lodged an appeal with the Valuation Tribunual service around 18 months ago, following receipt of an Invalidity notice from listing offiver at VOA.

My understanding was I could not appeal any further after this, but I have since found the new evidence ref. house prices.

If there is a chance they will entertain my application this time, I am really concerned that I word the letter correctly so they can't dismiss my request again.

I did intend to make mention of my previous appeal in my next letter, now I'm not so sure how best to word my letter,or to just phrase it as if I'm writing to VO for the first time?

lincroft1710

As I said above, phone them first, it's easier to discuss the problem than just writing and waiting for a reply.

debbie22

Thanks for replies, I have rang the local Valuation office and explained situation. They were really helpful and took my details and advised that listings officer would be in touch with me. Hoping I'll be back with some good news to report.