Council tax reduction partial success in Wales

pythag51213

I live in Wales. Following the good advice from Martin Lewis I decided to challenge my council tax band. Successs! the valuation Agency has just reduced my band from F to E. The council has paid me a refund for 6 years to Feb 2016. There seems to be a law in Wales that refunds can only go back 6 years. This seems unfair as I have lived in the property from 2005 when Wales did a revaluation of house bands and it is this evaluation that is wrong. I am in the process of asking if the council will refund my other overpayments. Any further advice would be welcome.

lincroft1710

In 2010 the Welsh government introduced a 6 year limit on refunds for overpayment of CT following a band reduction. So although it may be unfair it appears perfectly legal. Thus there is probably little  point in asking the council for a further refund.

pythag51213

Thanks for the information.

jdybnsn

As I understand it it may be possible to challenge this further - if you have grounds. I may also have this problem myself if I can get mine re-assessed & changed
Found this on the internet which makes interesting reading ; :

https://www.lgfa92.co.uk/council-tax-backdating-and-the-limitations-act-1980/

lincroft1710

jdybnsn said:

As I understand it it may be possible to challenge this further - if you have grounds. I may also have this problem myself if I can get mine re-assessed & changed
Found this on the internet which makes interesting reading ; :

https://www.lgfa92.co.uk/council-tax-backdating-and-the-limitations-act-1980/

That link is useful where English councils do not backdate refunds beyond 6 years. But it specifically refers to the Statute of Limitations Act 1980 which is not the legislation the council in this case are using to limit the refund to 6 years.


The Welsh government have made a specific ruling regarding a maximum of 6 years refund, so the OP could not challenge the council on its interpretation of applying the 6 year rule as they were acting exactly in line with the legislation.