Council tax banding challenge with an unsuccessful tribunal previously

MajicMOLE

Hi - after some advice

I purchased my home for £150k in Apr 2011 (NW England), and has always been a band D for council tax purposes. I had always thought D seems excessive, however the previous owner said he had challenged in the past, and was decided that it should be a band D. Even though the valuation check backs me up, I decided not to pursue it.

However, recently an identical property (3 bed detached) several doors up had challenged their banding and was successful, changing their band D to a bad C. I thought this was more evidence to back up my case, so contacted the VOA to query

They said there was an indicator on my property, meaning that previously my property had been challenged and went all the way to a tribunal, and because it was unsuccessful, the only way they can look at it again is if there was a big supermarket or major road build near by.

I did question this and asked "so what if all the identical properties to mine all challenged and got their banding changed from D to C, are you saying I would need to stay on D" to which they replied yes.

Is this right? Is there nothing I can do because the previous owner had previously challenged and was unsuccessful, despite others having success?

Thanks

lincroft1710

If your neighbour appealed their band and the appeal went to Tribunal, then if the decision was issued within the past 6 months, you can appeal your band citing this case and requesting your band be similarly reduced.

If there was no appeal to Tribunal and the reduction was either agreed with or given by the VOA, then you have no right of appeal.

There may be good reason that the VOA will not automatically reduce your band. It is possible that this other house has a problem or disability which yours doesn't, or if the reduction was the result of a Tribunal decision, the VOA may consider that that decision was perverse.