Council Tax Bands - Challenge

searcher1

Hello everyone,
Simple items, moved into rented property (which is a flat)  in September 2019 - North London. Shocked to say the least that the flat is in band 'F' (probably stands for 'fool' LOL)
Anyhow here's the challenge (shadow to Martin Lewis) because challenging / appealing a tax band is not all it's cracked up to be!
I go and look at properties in the area. I check that NatWest calculator and work out that in 1993 it falls into bank 'E' (at the maximum). I do my challenge and a second one and get a reply citing various properties in the area. I might as well have spoken to concrete Lions in someone's garden.
I need to be careful here because there are 4 flat of the same size. One is Band E, showing as agreed in 1993. When I used this the response was okay, we'll just increase that one because it was an agreement back then. The evaluator was so nice and pleasant, happy to chat anytime, however, the 'veil threat' was there! As I looked on there was probably zero chance of me ever winning and probably, some nightmare neighbour 'gunning' for me.
So we remain as Band F as I did not want to 'rock the boat'. Say whatever you like, however sometimes it is better not to proceed. The valuation office is, I am told, NOT connected to the local council. Someone want to comment, if anything to to make me smile on this?
M

lincroft1710

VOA is not connected to council, it is part of HMRC.


Property value date is 1991 not 1993.


NatWest and all house price indices are inaccurate tending to undervalue in reference to 1991 values


If the VOA member of staff had good reason to believe the Band E value on the "agreed" flat is wrong they really should increase it, but practically it is doubtful if they will.