Can the council tax band my garage?

Abinail

My parents are considering converting our detached garage into a one bedroom annex for me as I can't afford to get onto the property ladder.

We have called the council and they have informed us that planning permission is not required however, it will be graded as Tax band A (around £800pa in stoke on trent). The proviso of this build would mean that it can only be occupied by a relative, never be rented out and never be sold as a seperate building.
I need some advice as I feel that they shouldn't be able to band the garage as it will never have its own valuation and all energy sources will be linked into my parents house. With no additional services for them to provide I can't understand how they can justify the grading.

Any help would be appreciated.

CIS

The Valuations Office are responsible for banding properties , try ringing your local office and speaking to an advisor.

vivatifosi

Here's the latest from the VOA website on how separate units are judged. You may need to read down the page a bit to get to the relevant bits:

http://www.voa.gov.uk/instructions/chapters/council_tax/council_tax_man_pn/Frame.htm

guppy

Similar info is in plain English here

http://www.voa.gov.uk/council_tax/self-contained-units.htm

http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/public_fact_sheets/self-contained-units-factsheet.pdf

If you were living alone you might be able to claim 25% for single occupancy.

Abinail

Thanks for that. Looks like I can't get out of it as its classed as a seperate dwelling. They do anything to get more money out of you!!

alexh

If the building doesnt have any of its own facilities (water, gas and electricity, sewage, phone etc.) and they come from your parents house, would it then be classified as a self contained unit?

guppy

alexh wrote: »

If the building doesnt have any of its own facilities (water, gas and electricity, sewage, phone etc.) and they come from your parents house, would it then be classified as a self contained unit?

Probably yes, have a look at the link above