Lack of similar properties nearby to challenge Council Tax Band

zephyrtron

Hi all, any help appreciated.

I've moved into a brand new build flat. It's 2 bed and in a block of 4 flats.

It's on a large estate where only 2 other flats exist - both are above shops nearby.

I've been put into Band B, the same as all the local detached 2 bed houses - average price

The flats above the shops are Band A.

My block was sold as a job lot to the landlord for 325k last year.

From my research using the MSE/Nationwide tool, my flat alone would have to be worth more than 1/3 of that block of 4 flats sale price to qualify as being in Band B.

I'm attempting to find out if the flats above the shops are both 2 bed.

There are no records of these flats being sold, so I can't find anything about them online.

My question: These flats aren't the same age or build type as mine (being above shops) so will they even qualify as evidence, should they be 2 beds?

Would I be better off getting in touch directly with VOA and talking this through, or are they not willing to discuss issues?

Thanks!

lincroft1710

VOA may discuss. Flats above shops are generally worth less than those in purpose built blocks, so are not good comparables. You cannot ascertain the open market value of an individual flat by dividing the total price of the sale of the block by the number of flats, often there are other issues involved.

Look for flats on other nearby estates and see what their bands are.

zephyrtron

lincroft1710 said:

VOA may discuss. Flats above shops are generally worth less than those in purpose built blocks, so are not good comparables. You cannot ascertain the open market value of an individual flat by dividing the total price of the sale of the block by the number of flats, often there are other issues involved.

Look for flats on other nearby estates and see what their bands are.

Thanks for this. As there are zero other flats on the estate I'm in I had looked at adjacent estates with flats - all of them are Band A from what I could see immediately.

But (and forgive me for asking for more info) are they likely to be acceptable as a comparison if, say, they're from an estate which is on the other side of a main road?

Thanks again!

lincroft1710

Don't worry about them being on the other side of a main road unless it is the dividing line between 2 towns or 2 London Boroughs.