Council Tax Band Reassessment, about to move

Mr.Boy

I'm renting and looking at buying a house on the same street - checking online I see that though many houses on the street are identical (it's a new build from 2004), about half are band D and half band E, including ours. The 2 biggest houses which are slightly different are actually both band D!

We rent and are likely to be leaving shortly. The houses sold new from £230-270k in 2004 which puts them all squarely in band E according to the MSE calculator.

Anyway my question is, what happens if you apply for re-assessment on a property you are about to leave, or even have already left? Is it worth it (we've been here 3 years)?

Thanks for any advice... it seems a slightly different situation so hopefully hasn't been asked 1000 times before!

lincroft1710

You cannot apply for a reassessment of a dwelling you no longer occupy.

If Band E looks to be correct from the MSE calculator then it is highly doubtful there will be a reduction forthcoming as house price indices tend to underestimate 1991 values. Also as you have been there longer than 6 months you cannot make a formal appeal, but just ask VOA to investigate the band.

Mr.Boy

Can I apply/ask for reassessment while I still live there, and then move while they are considering?

I didn't really follow the distinction between formal appeals and "asking VOA", Martin seems to portray reassessment as often being used to retroactively change the band going back several years?

Thanks for your reply btw.

lincroft1710

Yes, it doesn't matter if you move while they are looking into the band. Just remember to let them know where you've moved to.