One of the extremely rare? (VOA review CT band)

chaotic_j

Hi,

We have received a letter from the VOA informing us that they intend to perform a review of our properties council tax band.

Ironically, I'd noticed recently whilst in an attempt to trace where an astray letter should go to, checking which properties were in our postcode using the Directgov council tax valuation list that a near neighbour was in band B, similar size property.

I checked out the guide on MSE and found that said neighbour had either a strong or very strong case to have their band reduced and they could get a large refund and I'd intended on letting them know about this.

Anyway, it seems they must have recently already challenged their council tax band and according to the MSE guide we must be one of the extremely rare as the VOA have rejected their challenge and must have issued review notices to all properties in our postcode that the neighbour brought to their attention as similar size in their challenge but are band A.

We purchased our property in May 2010 and using the 'council tax bands at 1991 value calculator' on MSE and inputting our purchase price, year, month range etc. we do come out as a band B but only by about £2,000. The previous owner had no extensions done.

Our property was decorated before purchase and work had been done to it, however it was pretty much everything you would do to a property to make it attractive to a buyer to sell it - nothing to a high standard and this now really shows. We have very little outside amenity - a small forecourt garden and a cracked concrete back yard!

Properties across the road are similar style and size but are band B, larger properties with larger gardens are band C. Further up the road there are similar properties to ours which are off the main road and are all band A but they do sell for much less than ours - I could go on.

Another property has a loft conversion and this property has recently sold probably for a similar price to what we paid for ours but it is in a much better internal condition - pretty much everything done to it, I'd imagine this property would definitely be a band B due to the conversion alone?

I believe the neighbour that has appealed could go to a tribunal, should I offer to assist my neighbour? If they win the tribunal I don't see how my band and other neighbours bands could be increased.

Also, should I receive notification that my band has been upped to a B and considering the above how should I best argue our case? Do I have a good chance? Should I get together with any other neighbours who have also received letters and had their band increased for us to simultaneously appeal?

Thanks in advance for your help!

lincroft1710

If you want to help your neighbour, help them. However unless the neighbour appealed within 6 months of becoming the CT payer, they have no right to a Tribunal hearing.

If your band is to be increased you will receive notification of this and you can appeal the increased band, as can any neighbour similarly affected. Nothing to stop you getting together with your neighbours to agree why you believe the bands should not be increased. But each neighbour has to make their own appeal.

chaotic_j

Hi,

I haven't heard anything yet.. could it be safe to assume the VOA are not increasing our Council Tax band?

I was tempted to contact them to request confirmation of the same.. but can then imagine getting the opposite news.. best taking heed of the saying 'no news is good news'?

Also, to answer lincroft1710, the neighbour has lived here for years so according to what you've said will have no right to a tribunal hearing..

Thanks for your help!

lincroft1710

It would not be safe to assume the VOA are not increasing your band, it is not unusual for several months to pass before a final decision is made.

chaotic_j

Hi,

The chap in the letter said, quote: "If your band changes, I will send you formal notification, usually within one month"...

Oh.. I see, it doesn't mean they will decide if the band has changed and send notification within one month, but they will take their time in deciding and then let us know within one month of the decision to up it..

I see..

Heh!

lincroft1710

chaotic_j wrote: »

Hi,

The chap in the letter said, quote: "If your band changes, I will send you formal notification, usually within one month"...

Oh.. I see, it doesn't mean they will decide if the band has changed and send notification within one month, but they will take their time in deciding and then let us know within one month of the decision to up it..

I see..

Heh!

The pertinent word is usually. A useful seven letter word which means in 90% (maybe more, maybe less) of the cases they will make the decision within a month. For whatever reason, the other 10% are more complex and will take longer to decide.

Because notifications of band change are made once a month, it is not impossible for it to take nearly a month from decision to notification.