Council Tax Challenge - no similar properties?

The_Magnificent_Spoon

Hi all,

Currently trying to challenge my council tax band. I've dug out a list of around 500 apartments all within 2 miles of mine, that are all in council tax band B. The only ones in the entire town that are in the same as mine (Band C), are either the 12 that are considerably larger than mine (by 20-50% and have 3 bedrooms, balconies, etc), or are the other two in my block.

The problem is, that the VOA have refused to undertake a review. My apartment is only valued at approximately £100k, and I'm paying band C council tax. As opposed to my partners house, which is £260k, and is Band A. :mad:

They've advised that I must provide evidence of the same size apartments of my own, to which I did, then they've come back saying that I must provide evidence of the same size apartments, in the same Pre 1900's built, converted industrial building, in the same style, etc.

There aren't any. There isn't a single other one in town.

What on earth do I do?

lincroft1710

Bang your head against a brick wall. The VOA are not playing fair. You could ask your MP to take up your case, but the VOA are well experienced in fielding MP queries and most are easily satisfied by a plausible answer

CIS

The_Magnificent_Spoon wrote: »

Hi all,

Currently trying to challenge my council tax band. I've dug out a list of around 500 apartments all within 2 miles of mine, that are all in council tax band B. The only ones in the entire town that are in the same as mine (Band C), are either the 12 that are considerably larger than mine (by 20-50% and have 3 bedrooms, balconies, etc), or are the other two in my block.

The problem is, that the VOA have refused to undertake a review. My apartment is only valued at approximately £100k, and I'm paying band C council tax. As opposed to my partners house, which is £260k, and is Band A. :mad:

They've advised that I must provide evidence of the same size apartments of my own, to which I did, then they've come back saying that I must provide evidence of the same size apartments, in the same Pre 1900's built, converted industrial building, in the same style, etc.

There aren't any. There isn't a single other one in town.

What on earth do I do?

How long have you had the property ?

The_Magnificent_Spoon

CIS wrote: »

How long have you had the property ?

Around 4 years

The_Magnificent_Spoon

Just a thought.

While looking through historical values of the apartments in my block, it looks like they all took a severe tumble after 2007 when they were quite badly flooded. The prices plummeted by around 50% and have never recovered.

Would the value being dropped because of the flood, be grounds for a review being undertaken?

CIS

The_Magnificent_Spoon wrote: »

Just a thought.

While looking through historical values of the apartments in my block, it looks like they all took a severe tumble after 2007 when they were quite badly flooded. The prices plummeted by around 50% and have never recovered.

Would the value being dropped because of the flood, be grounds for a review being undertaken?

As an ongoing material change in the locality, possibly, but as a 'severe weather event' then no.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-manual/section-3-england-proposals-and-appeals

The_Magnificent_Spoon

CIS wrote: »

As an ongoing material change in the locality, possibly, but as a 'severe weather event' then no.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-manual/section-3-england-proposals-and-appeals

Thanks for the info,

Unfortunately it looks like this is the end of the road then!