Newbuild Council Tax Appeal Success

emma2978

I just wanted to let you know of our recent council tax appeal success (sorry if a bit lengthy).

Moved into a newbuild house on a large Bovis development in December 2011. Notified by the Listings Officer our house (end terraced, 3 bedroom) was banded a D and were given the opportunity to appeal. Decided to appeal as two previous properties we lived in, of similar build in same area, were banded a C.

Listings Officer declined our appeal and sent their supporting evidence which showed 4 properties, similar to ours, using 1991 house prices, stated 3 are a band C and only 1 a band D. Slightly confused why they hadn't changed us using this evidence! We decided to go to the tribunal stage.

Honestly thought we wouldn't win because it would mean around 100 other new houses on development would be able to appeal to have their band lowered. However, after presenting our case at the tribunal, the Valuation Office allowed our appeal, due mainly to the evidence thr Listings Officer provided - ha ha. We still can't believe it :j; the difference in money is around £200 per year but the biggest achievement is proving they were wrong in their valuation.

Obviously I would like to tell everyone on our development who live in similar houses (banded D) but I do not want it to backfire on us. Any advice would be grateful.

lincroft1710

Why this was ever taken to Tribunal is beyond belief when the evidence clearly supports Band C.

Normally the VOA will automatically reduce bands of the same house type as yours, but if 100 houses are involved this could take some time. However if this hasn't happened within say 4 months (you can check the bands on the VOA website) advice the occupiers to submit proposals quoting the VT decision on your home and the date the decision published. Bear in mind that after 4 months the occupiers only have 2 months to make a proposal.