Council Tax Rebanding - 2 Years After Moving In - Question on What I Need to Pay

BeerBelly

Hi Guys,

Previous owner extended house. Expect band will go from D to E looking online at neighbours properties.  FIne.

My questions are:

* Why have they got in contact over 2 years after moving? Wouldn't that be closer to purchase - usually 1-2 months?
* Will I have to pay back dated council tax from the date of purchase (my fear) or current financial year (lump the difference?)
OR ^ does increase start after the property has be rebanded?

Thank You in advance

lincroft1710

Only "they" (VOA in Eng and Wales, Assessor in Scot) would know why it took 2 years. 

In England the increase will start from the date the property is rebanded, in Wales it will be from the date of purchase. I don't know about Scotland

BeerBelly

Lin, that sounds very positive - Thank You for your prompt reply.  I will look into next steps from VOA letter I have.

macman

Did it show an improvement indicator as flagged when your conveyancer did the searches?

BeerBelly

I don't remember it being flagged by surveyor or solicitor around banding, but we knew the owner had extended.  I will have to check the reports.

What could it mean?  Back dating?

macman

If you knew the previous owner had extended, then you must have known that, subject to the council being aware of the work, the property might be subject to rebanding at the next change of ownership?
You've already been advised that if the rebanding has only now been applied, it will not be backdated.

Londoncheesecake

Just passing and read this 
We had similar happen a few months ago just outside of London.

Apparently the previous owner never informed the council of renovations which would have changed the banding. So upon us buying the house they were then made aware of  the changes and the band changed!
We had lived here for over a year but in the end we only paid at the point of the band change, no back charges.