Council want to rebrand upwards after 20 years - can they do this ?

jtlondon

My mother-in-law , who is 80+ has received a letter saying her council want to increase the banding of her house . This will mean an extra £25 per month ( for nothing) .
They say the property , which is quite basic and has never been extended, was worth more than a certain value back in 1993 . When we challenged this they said check with the Land Registry , but the Land Registry doesn't hold records back that far
Any ideas ?

lincroft1710

Firstly the council do not reband properties, it is either the Valuation Office Agency (England) or the Assessor (Scotland).

Secondly the date of valuation for CT purposes for Eng and Scot is 1 April 1991. Wales is 1 Apr 2003. The Land Registry certainly will have records going back to 1991 but they are not in the public domain, unlike those from 1994 onwards.

CT bands can be increased at any time if it considered that the original band is incorrect. Your MIL has a right of appeal against the increase. Appealing the increase will in due course allow her to see the evidence that has been used to justify the increase.

Either you or your MIL can check the online Valuation List to see if her existing band is lower than her neighbours'.

A further point to consider is if the increased payment makes her eligible for CT benefit.