Challenging a CT rebanding

ajmh

Hello. I’ve read through lots of posts here but can’t find anyone in the same position. I’ve recently found out that my house was rebanded when my ex and I bought the house in 2005. I’m assuming due to a loft conversion that was done in 1999 (before the previous owners bought it so not sure why it wasn’t rebanded then). There are many houses of equivalent value/size that are in a lower band, and also larger houses. Many have loft conversions but have not been rebanded.  My direct neighbour is two bands lower, although I have the benefit of a garage (same no. of bedrooms). 

Is it worth challenging? It feels very unfair but I don’t want to put the work in if I have no chance of winning. 

If I do challenge, do I need to go back to 1991 (I am not challenging the original banding) or does it make more sense to compare to other properties that sold at about the same time as the rebanding took place? Also, how do I find out what my property was worth in 1991?

Sorry for all the questions - any help anyone can give would be gratefully received!

lincroft1710

It may be that your home is in the correct band, but the others aren't. Banding is based on 1991 prices (which are not in the public domain) but these won't be much help when the properties to which you refer appear to have been extended after this date.


Just give the VOA whatever info you have which you believe supports your case.

Exodi

ajmh said:

Hello. I’ve read through lots of posts here but can’t find anyone in the same position. I’ve recently found out that my house was rebanded when my ex and I bought the house in 2005. I’m assuming due to a loft conversion that was done in 1999 (before the previous owners bought it so not sure why it wasn’t rebanded then). There are many houses of equivalent value/size that are in a lower band, and also larger houses. Many have loft conversions but have not been rebanded.  My direct neighbour is two bands lower, although I have the benefit of a garage (same no. of bedrooms). 

Is it worth challenging? It feels very unfair but I don’t want to put the work in if I have no chance of winning. 

If I do challenge, do I need to go back to 1991 (I am not challenging the original banding) or does it make more sense to compare to other properties that sold at about the same time as the rebanding took place? Also, how do I find out what my property was worth in 1991?

Sorry for all the questions - any help anyone can give would be gratefully received!

I've spent a lot of time talking to the VOA (the body responsible for council tax banding).

They will be requiring you to find a properties of: similar type (e.g. detached house), similar size (within 10% of your m2) and similar age (works in bands but about 20 years) that are in a lower council tax band.

In response to "does it make more sense to compare to other properties that sold at about the same time as the rebanding took place" - forget this, they will not consider this at all, there would be too many variables (e.g. people selling houses to friends at discounts, houses selling for more because they are well furnished, etc).

What I would recommend is having a look around and seeing if you can find any 'true' comparables.

If you need to find out the size and type of each property, you could use the EPC register as a guide.

Once you have a handful of properties you think are comparables, I'd give them a call and speak to them about it, they're easy to talk to - 0300 050 1501

As someone else has said, people have a blinkered view that if their house is a higher band than other similar properties, that their house is wrong. It is just as likely that your house is correct and your neighbours is wrong. In fact, from what you describe, it sounds very much like your enquiry would lead to the neighbours council tax bands being raised.

Without knowing the properties though it's hard to know as a third party.