Really confused with this - can anyone assist ??

losgiganteskid

I had been living at my previous address since 1970 when we were paying Rates, then of course we were changed to Council Tax Banding.  My property was banded E which I thought was incorrect, but try as I might the VOA refused to consider my review application and reluctantly I accepted the position and I have been paying Band E charges from the date it was introduced up until I sold the property earlier this year.

The new owners who bought my house must have been like minded with me and they immediately decided they would try to get the property downgraded to a lower band.  Much to my surprise, at the first attempt the VOA downgraded the house to band D.  I assumed I would have a really good case of getting a refund as I had been paying E banding whereas I should have been paying D.

I phoned the VOA who have been less than helpful and to date have not agreed that the revised banding be back dated which of course would have meant a large rebate to me.  Given that the new owners have done nothing to the property to warrant a banding reduction.  Where do I go from here ? - does it appear I should be entitled to a retrospective rebanding and qualify for a rebate.  Thanks in advance for your thoughts

lincroft1710

As you are no longer the CT payer, there is no option open to you to get the effective date altered. You could write to your MP and ask them to ask the VOA why the revised band hasn't been backdated

losgiganteskid

I suppose the question to the VOA would be along the lines of why they considered it necessary to reduce the banding for the new owners but on exactly the same property declined to do so several years ago when I asked them to. Seems to me a very simple question which may pose a very difficult answer 

lincroft1710

Or there may be a very simple answer which would also explain why the reduction was not backdated - recent changes in the locality have reduced the property's value.


If this was not the case, then all the VOA would have to say was that having re-examined the evidence they now believed the band should be reduced. 


When you phoned the VOA what did they actually say about not backdating the reduction?

losgiganteskid

Well, well, well - The VOA have finally conceded and agreed that I was put in the wrong banding years ago I have just received over £6000 in back council tax, so it pays to keep pestering the VOA. !!!