Council tax claim after years?

Deb1112

Hello all,
Apologies if this has been answered previously but I have been unable to locate a correct thread.


My query is in regard to a property I rented from 1998 to 2006.
I have checked the banding for my property and the neighbour's property and there was (1991) and still is a huge difference.

The properties both have pasture. Their property was small horse stud and garden, my property was a very old cottage with two paddocks next to it which didn't belong to the owner.

In 1991 the nearest neighbour was Band C and is still on this band.
Their property is NO to 'Mixed Use Property', even though it was used for horticultural growth (beans predominately) and also as an Arab stud


In 1991 my rented cottage was and still is Band E
My rented states YES to 'Mixed Use Property'



There is no way to compare property value as the properties have never been bought or sold since 1991 and my old property has been renovated and potentially may command at least a Band E council tax in 2018.
The owner would have spent over £100,000 upgrading the house and garden.

Am I able to claim council tax rebate having moved from the property?
At the time I thought we were very over-charged as there were no street lights and other niceties involved with council tax but did not know I could challenge.

Previously you helped me assist an elderly gentlemen who managed to claim over £60K in backdated unclaimed pension, for which we were both exceedingly grateful.

Your views would be again be gratefully received.


Best Regards
Debbie

lincroft1710

Only the current occupier can ask for the CT band to be investigated (or appealed if within 6 month time limit). CT bands will not reflect any pasture or agricultural land, but if the dwelling is occupied in connection with an agricultural holding or a commercial enterprise and a stud farm would come into this category, it will be treated as a "composite" and valued on a different basis to a standalone dwelling and indicated by the letter (C) after the band.

A stud farm should have a non domestic rating assessment and is thus subject to business rates.

Deb1112

Thank you for your response.
Therefore we cannot claim for being overcharged for 8 years, which is exactly what this would have been. As you can imagine, we knew the rate was high but back then we did not have Martin and yourselves for advice :-(



Best Regards
Debbie

lincroft1710

Until it is established that the CT band of your previous home is incorrect, you have not been overcharged. There is a possibility that the band of the near neighbour is too low.

If you feel aggrieved, my advice would be to try and contact the current occupier of your previous home and ask them if they would be willing to ask the VOA to investigate the band.

Deb1112

Thank you!
Our previous landlord lives at the property therefore may indeed be happy to do so.
Will give it a shot :-)


Best Regards
Debbie