VOA council tax band possible increase?

arbrighton

ours was rebanded when we bought as previous owners had extended. We've extended further so it might be rebanded again if we ever sell (no, I can't remember what we now are but it's probably D now, or maybe E)

Datatag

Hi Hoploz. No, not really - the letter started with some spiel about the VOA being independent from our council and simply said ..."We believe your band might need to be changed and we are reviewing it."

When one of our other neighbours affected by the change phoned the VOA, he was initially told it was because of his challenge to the council tax band... only he hadn't made any challenge. I've still got one neighbour to speak to and I guess it could have been them (and the VOA got confused as to who was calling!!), but we're not certain!

Our house was built in 1997, so my "Proposal" included the following six points:

1. The fact that our property was surveyed both inside and out during my 2010 challenge, following which the band was dropped from D to C.

2. I referenced the Government House Price Table 503, entitled "Housing Market: simple average house prices by new/other dwellings, type of buyer and region", the data contained within basically stating that a property in the North West region that sold new for £70K in 1997 would have been worth around £62K in 1991.

3. Discussions with a long established local estate agents confirmed my belief that new-build properties offering similar accommodation to ours would have sold in the low £60K bracket in 1991.

4. That our style of property is the smallest 3-bed detached on the estate and that much larger 3/4 bed detached properties (one of which has a large garden and double garage) are in the same band as ourselves.

5. Similar sized properties on other estates in the vicinity, built on similar sized plots and offering similar accommodation, are all in Band C.

6. The survey carried out for our 2010 re-band exercise included both an internal and external survey, whilst the most recent survey was simply a quick look at the outside only. The fact that a more complete survey suggested a band reduction whilst a simple look at the outside resulted in a band increase suggested that the second surveyor didn't take all the facts into account. This would make the process of carrying out a survey for council tax banding a "Subjective" issue, which it is not supposed to be.

I ended by concluding that the re-banding was wrong and requesting that my property was returned to Band C as soon as possible.

Hope this helps!!

Kind Regards

Derek.

Hedgehog99

Round here, the only property that gets an A is a studio flat or microscopic 1-bed flat. Band B is a 1-bed house, C+ 2-bed, D = 3-bed, so agree with others that it seems unusual for you to be Band A.

My neighbour did an illegal loft conversion to create another bedroom & said "What they don't know...". Grrrr.

lincroft1710

phoebe1989seb wrote: »

It is strange how Council Tax bands vary for similarly sized and similarly priced properties in different areas.....

Definitely think the system is in need of an overhaul - poll tax anyone :eek:

In 1991, for 3 towns in the same county, house prices were 1= A and B, 3 = C, Currently 1 = A, 2 =C, 3 =B. Certain older houses have increased in value more than more modern ones. Different counties have always had different prices and between 1991 and now, these relativities have changed over the years.

The general election is in May, so ask your prospective Parliamentary candidates what their parties plans are for local government financing.

Milk_bottle

Morning all, So I chased it with the VOA, they got back to me the same day but they've said that I should have a letter with a decision in the next two weeks. Do I count weekends or just business days?

arbrighton

I would think business days. They won't count weekends

lincroft1710

Two weeks means two weeks, there is no ambiguity.

Milk_bottle

Afternoon, well its in....We've gone up to a band B, which to be fair I'm quite relieved about - I just want to say "no giveseys backsies" just in case they change their mind as I its sort of low for the amount of house and plot *4 bed semi -large back garden -driveway for two cars and an internal garage.

lincroft1710

Milk_bottle wrote: »

I just want to say "no giveseys backsies" :

??????????

orionmoo

That's crazy that it can bounce round from a D to a C to a D to a B.....

Makes a hash of the whole process of banding really..

We're about to buy a property that has a flag online to say improvements made and the banding may change upon sale. The only improvement is an integral garage conversion to create an extra reception room/bedroom. I'd hardly call it an improvement as for some people a garage would be more useful than a 5th bedroom. For others the extra space may be better. Cancels each other out in my mind and probably doesn't change the value imo.