Council Tax reassessment of an ex-council property

SoStew

Can anyone offer advice on how to request a council tax reassessment of an ex-council property that was bought under a tenant's right to buy?

I purchased a flat a year ago (currently Band C) that was originally bought under the right to buy scheme in 1994 for £40,000 (including discount). I assume therefore this property should be in Band A and evidence from HM Land Registry would be sufficient proof of that. Not so...

As the VOA only take into consideration the value of properties on the 'open market' in 1991, they will not accept the council's own selling price in 1994. Are you following the logic of this?

So, the council tax was set in 1993 at band value C - properties between £52k-£68K then sells it for £40k in 1994. But because this was not sold on the 'open' market, albeit the sale price under the right to buy is supposed to be based on market rate, it's not so straightforward.

I don't think the VOA understood my point that if one government department was responsible for banding the property and the other for 'selling it', how can 'open market' rules apply? He said that council house values were often discounted from the market rate, before the council tenant received a discount under the right to buy scheme.....but he didn't really know because this wasn't his department. And indeed, the VOA view sales of council houses to tenants as if it were 'inter-family'. Hmmmmm..........

Can anyone share my sense of humour on the logic of this, preferably with some advice?:rotfl:

andym765

The person got a discount because they were a Council tenant...............i dont see the confusion here? its still worth what its worth they just got a discount on the sale price to try and get people onto the property ladder i belive.

And the valuation office is not part of the local Council therefor wouldnt be using the figures they approximate.

SoStew

I don't see the confusion either, but I was told by the VOA that as the flat was not sold on the open market in 1994, the price that the property was sold at in 1994 doesn't meet their assessment criteria.

According to him, the flat market value 'probably' had a discounted market value and then there was an 'additional' discount for being a council tenant. I don't think he knew what he was talking about to be honest.

I will send the evidence and my argument to them anyway and see how far I get with it.

Best wishes

tarinilie

The VOA want to know how much the house was worth at 1991 in the open market .
As the flat was not sold at open market your sale details are completely irrevelant.
A discounted flat is just that - a discount - the VOA need to estimate how much it would sell if an arm's length transaction took place - I think you're probably in the right band and I'm pretty sure he does know what he's talking about, else he probably wouldn't be doing the job