VOA council tax band possible increase?

MadelinesMum

Milk_bottle wrote: »

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.

Not too bad then.

Milk_bottle

lincroft1710 wrote: »

??????????

as in they cannot take back what they've given

lincroft1710

If you mean they cannot change their mind and increase to a Band C, they in fact can do this. The VOA has the legal right to alter a CT band at any time if they believe it is incorrect.

Milk_bottle

lincroft1710 wrote: »

If you mean they cannot change their mind and increase to a Band C, they in fact can do this. The VOA has the legal right to alter a CT band at any time if they believe it is incorrect.

Dont say that which is true but they would have to put up all the other houses on the cul-de sac who have had alterations done to their homes like extensions

lincroft1710

Milk_bottle wrote: »

Dont say that which is true but they would have to put up all the other houses on the cul-de sac who have had alterations done to their homes like extensions

Any home which had alterations carried out by the current owner after 1 Apr 1993 cannot have its band increased on account of these alterations. So a wholesale reband of the cul-de-sac may not happen.

AdrianC

Milk_bottle wrote: »

oh and nothing was mentioned about the council tax from the solicitor

There would have been an "Improvement Index" flag against the property on the CT banding lists.

Would it hurt to contact the VOA or will it go against me?

They were very helpful and friendly when we had a similar situation 2yrs ago.

simbasheen

I was just reading this thread and was hoping for some advice. I moved into my property last July and the following month received a letter to advise an increase from band d to band e due to an extension that has been built by the previous owner. I have appealed this decision and quoted the Nationwide figures of the value my house would have been in 1991 based on today's purchase figures. I also checked next doors banding, this house has had a substantial works carried out by its previous owner and its banding was increased from D to band E. This house has about 40% additional square meters to my home.

On the ground floor there's an extension and they have built additional bedroom and additional ensuite in the loft. Subsequently this home is now a five bedroom, three bathroom and an additional two rooms on the ground floor. This property sold for an additional £50,000 seven years ago.

My home has a summer room built on the back on an 'L' shape. I would like to know how the increase in banding is worked out, I was informed by an estate agent that having the summer room may increase the value of my property by £5000 to £7000 maximum.

There is another house identical to mine in my street with a similar extension with no indicator flag on the website indicating council tax will be re-valued and the extension was built at similar time and I've checked on the planning portal and it was granted permission etc so has been legitimately built.
The next stage for me is a tribuneral, I find the thought of this really overwhelming but at least if I can understand what formula they use I would feel more confident.

Any advice would be appreciated.

AdrianC

simbasheen wrote: »

The next stage for me is a tribuneral, I find the thought of this really overwhelming but at least if I can understand what formula they use I would feel more confident.

I mentioned above that when we moved here, two years ago, we had an II flag - which resulted in going up a band. I didn't think that appropriate, and appealed it. In surprisingly short order, I had back full details on the comparatives used, which explained why. I then found out, separately, that this place had been sold in 1991 for a tidge under the boundary figure - before the addition of the large two-storey extension that triggered the II flag. So, in our case, it was far fairer than it'd initially seemed.

lincroft1710

There is no "formula", VOA should have compared your home with others of a similar type and size and rebanded accordingly. When you get a date for the Tribunal hearing, the VOA will send you details of comparable properties which they believe support the rebanding.

simbasheen

Thank you for your advice, my property wasn't built until 1995. The VOA have already sent a list of 5 properties which they've stated are comparable stating they are four bedroom two bathroom, (which same as mine) but the extensions on all of these proerties are significantly larger, for example they are double story so adding a room downstairs.

I struggle to see how the VOA can work it out if there's not even a formula, for example a certain amount of square meters etc or adding a guided amount to the value of your property. So is it a case of any extension means it will go up a banding upon sale?

There are a significant amount of properties on my estate that are 4 bedroom 2 bathroomed properties that are still larger than mine which are on a Band D.
Is it worth going to a tribuneral or do think there's no chance realistically of getting the decision changed?