Challenging your Council Tax Band - Lothian, Scotland - Tips - Help - Discussion

GlennCTax

More Misleading Evidence from the Senior Technician - Lothian Assessors

POINT 1 - We mentioned in earlier Posts how this Technician claimed there were no local Tone Date Cottages in our local area to compare to our un-extended Cottage, and this is why he had to look further afield e.g.

Technician states - "Yes but there is no Tone Date sales nearby". ."there is none nearby, so what we have done, we have searched and these are the ones we have come up with".

- We searched and found in excess of 20 local Comparisons.

This Technician again went outside of the Town to find his Comparison with our extended Cottage, he travelled out into the middle of the Countryside.  Not only did he go outside the local Town, he also used a 1993 Cottage.

Our Evidence shows there is a 1990 Tone Date Cottage only a short walk from our Cottage.  It is also very similar in size to our Cottage and the Cottage the Technician used!

Again, what has a 1993 Cottage in the middle of the Countryside got to do with the value of our Cottage.  The real Evidence is in our local Town.  

POINT 2 - This is the same Technician that travelled out 8 miles to find a Detached Cottage, when there was a similar Cottage in our local Town.

We see in Court Minute 85 - it states that the assessors had used the best Evidence available:

"although some of them were 10 to 15 minutes walk away".  

One of this Technician's Comparison was a 2 hour 45 Minutes walk away!!!


POINT 3 - This is the same Technician, who is responsible for the following:

- Used misleading attic sizes
- Used misleading ground floor sizes
- Repeatedly attempted to cover up his misleading Evidence 
- Used a misleading Reduction Factor Table
- Used numerous grossly misleading Evidence in his Comparisons
- Claimed there was no local Tone Date Evidence for our un-extended Cottage
- Added 40% new Evidence 2 days before our Hearing - causing it to be postponed
- His new Evidence also contained misleading Evidence
- Supplied us with a misleading list of dates for the Hearing of Appeals
- Claimed he had not heard of - not including areas under 5 feet (1.5m) in measurements
- Trained a new trainee on how to give misleading Evidence to the public
- Made numerous false statements during our House Meetings
- Claimed he would send us Evidence, then claimed to know nothing about this Evidence
- Claimed someone else entered misleading Evidence when he left his file open
- Yet he stated  "cause I want you to do the best you can on.. the day to present your Case"

This is only a very small example of what the public is up against when dealing with the Lothian Assessors. 

All of our claims are backed up by a 3 year investigation which has accumulated 120 items of Evidence, 3 Taped House Meetings and 2 Taped phone calls.

Had a similar experience.  Please feel free to comment.

GlennCTax

The Assessors Claimed they have no Paperwork to show how they Assess or Measure Houses

POINT 1 - When the Council Tax Manager took over our Case we explained the Technician who had been taken off our Case, had used misleading Evidence in his assessment and what we needed from the Council Tax Manager was clear information.

We asked it he used a Code of Measurement or if he used any RICS information in relation to how he measures and assesses properties.  The Council Tax Manager said he did not know to both questions, however, he would find out and get back to me.  I was not impressed that the Council Tax Manager could not answer any of these basic questions.

POINT 2 - The Council Tax Manager wrote back explaining that they did not use a Code of Measurement (he did not answer if he used RICS at this stage - full file on this issue later!!).

He sent us 4 pages of Practice Notes Marked "Measurement 1/4"  and stated:

"What I have supplied you with is the practice note issued to staff which gives guidance to the measurement of domestic properties."

"Hope the above is of assistance, if you require any additional information please get back to me."

This is the Paperwork the Assessors use.  The Paperwork that is "issued to staff".


POINT 3 - We noticed he did not send us any Paperwork relating to the Reduction Factors they use.  We asked if he could send us the Paperwork for Reduction Factors.

The Council Tax Manager replied sending us 5 pages of Reduction Factors that is "in use by staff" as shown below:

"Reduction Factor Table (1.2.5.2.1) –The instruction labelled reduction factors which I sent is the table which is in use by staff."

Again, this is clearly the Paperwork that is used by staff.  The Council Tax Manager had stated that he had no Code of Measurement, however, he has sent us the Paperwork that is used by staff.  We have numerous Taped and Documented items of Evidence which shows this Paperwork is indeed used by the assessors.

The problem the assessors have, is simply the fact - that this Paperwork shows that our Cottage size is greatly reduced when the Reduction Factors are applied.  

POINT 4 - The Council Tax Manager then changed his story, claiming that they have no Paperwork to show the public how they measure or assess properties.  He claimed he uses "Custom and Practice", however, states there is no Paperwork for Custom and Practice.  He is now claiming that the Paperwork he sent us is old Paperwork previously used by staff, however, all of our Evidenced shows this is blatantly untrue.

He did not use the Reduced Sizes in his Court Productions, he used the full sizes for our Cottage.  He did not refer to the Reduced Size (Net size) of our attic, previously used by the Technician.  
 
This is only a small sample of the Evidence we have in relation to this issue, including newly acquired Evidence from another Appellant.  We still have numerous Documents and various items of Taped Evidence to back up our claims that the assessors do indeed still use this Paperwork.

Our Taped and Documented Evidence will show this Council Tax Manager made numerous misleading statements and used misleading Evidence in every area of his assessment.

Did the assessors use the Reduction Factors when measuring your house!!!  Did you check all the assessors Evidence. 

Unfortunately the public must check every area of the Lothian Assessors Evidence.  Our Evidence shows this type of behaviour has been going on for decades!!!  Our Evidence shows we are certainly not alone in condemning the behaviour of these assessors. 

We shall give further updates in the coming weeks and months showing our own Evidence and newly acquired Evidence.   We are Campaigning for Change.

Had a similar experience.  Please feel free to comment.

GlennCTax

More Evidence Showing the Assessors do Indeed use Paperwork when Measuring/Assessing Properties

POINT 1 - We stated in the previous Post how the assessors claimed they had no paperwork to show how they measure and assess properties for Council Tax.

We also explained how the Council Tax Manager had sent us the Practice Notes, where he repeatedly stated  these are the Practice Notes "used by staff".  He sent us 9 pages of Instructions on how they measure and apply Reduction Factors when assessing properties.

Our Taped Evidence shows that while we were discussing these Practice Notes the Council Tax Manager sent us, he also stated on Tape how he works day in day out with his staff on these Instructions as shown below:

"If you got a trainee you work with them day in day out personally with them, that is a guidance note, and I will sit with them personally,..... and they are guided all the way through ....."

This Council Tax Manager stated he sent us the Practice Notes the staff use as he did not use a Code of Measurement.  He then explained how he uses these Practice Notes on a daily basis.  Yet when he realises how these Practice Notes favour our Case, he then claims they are Old Practice Notes that are no longer used.  He then claims he has no Paperwork to show us, how he Measures properties!  This is only a sample of what the public is up against.

POINT 2 - This Council Tax Manager also told us on Tape where his Instructions came from - RICS!

POINT 3 - The Technician also informed us why they still use these Instructions as shown below:

"At the end of the day, it comes to us as an Instruction and all we do is implement the Instruction..... because we are still gathering information exactly the same way so we can compare like with like and that's it"

Again, this is only a sample of the Documented and Taped evidence we have in relation to this issue, we have not yet covered the Evidence from the other Appellants or the Court Minutes.

The assessors attempted to distance themselves from this Paperwork/Instructions, as our Evidence shows they are grossly misleading the Public on how they measure and assess properties.

POINT 4 -  Our Evidence including the 300 pages of Court Minutes and other Appellants Evidence shows we are not the only members of the public to have misleading Evidence used against us.

All 7 Assessors that have communicated with us have all used blatant misleading Evidence against us.  The Barclay Report has already warned the assessors about their behaviour back in 2017.

According to the Court Minutes and our own Evidence, there could be 1000's of people placed in the wrong Council Tax Band due to misleading Evidence being used against them, costing them £1000's in extra Taxes.

The Assessors have written to us to remind us that this Appeal Hearing is a "Court of Law".  The public have a right to see Documented Evidence in a Court of Law, not hearsay Evidence from the assessors!

Did the assessors show you or the Committee paperwork on how they measure/assess properties at your Hearing of Appeal.  This is only one area where the assessors used misleading Evidence in Court.  See our previous Posts for more details above.

We shall continue to give updates in the coming weeks and months.

Had a similar experience.  Please feel free to comment.

GlennCTax

BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY

POINT 1 - We see in the media there are reports of a CEO resigning due to  - “She broke client confidentiality,” 

Our Evidence shows that, when a Complaints Officer/Depute Assessor broke client confidentiality, 

- He was promoted !!!

POINT 2 - This Complaints Officer stated that he sent our Complaints about a Technician to the Council Tax Manager and the Valuer who were taking over our Case, because they needed to see our Complaints.

Our Taped and Documented Evidence shows these assessors did not need to see the Complaints  we made against the Technician.

We had complained about the Technician while he was dealing with our Council Tax Appeal.  When the Technician was taken off our Case, the Council Tax Manager and the Valuer took over our Council Tax Appeal.

Our Taped Evidence shows we only became aware of the fact that the Council Tax Manager received our Complaints when he whistle blew on the Complaints Officer/Depute Assessor, while discussing our Case at our House Meeting.

POINT 3 - The Complaints Officer said the Council Tax Manager needed to see our Complaints.  Below are some of the statements made by the Council Tax Manager at our House Meeting:

He said - "and I can tell you with all honesty, I will tell you completely the 100% truth"

When he first saw the Complaint, he said - "whoop, I am having nothing to do with that".

 - "even though I know of the correspondence of the complaint, I have said to the Complaints Officer”

- "I do not want sight of it and I had drawn a line".

-  "if a complaint comes in about another member of staff, you deal with it".

- "if any correspondence came in, I have told him I want nothing to do with it."

- "I don't want anything fogging the issues to me in any other capacity".

The Council Tax Manager said the Complaints Officer still sent him he 2nd Complaint, but he will not open it.

Does it sound like the Council Tax Manager needed to read these Complaints about the other staff member!!!


POINT 4 - The Complaints Officer also sent our Complaint to the Valuer, claiming the Valuer needed to see it.  The Council Tax Manager also made statements that shows the Complaint Officers reason for sending the Complaint to the Valuer is not true.  This Complaints Officer clearly broke client confidentiality - then was Promoted!!!!

POINT 5 - Newspapers report -  CEO resigned due to - “She broke client confidentiality,”

This Complaints Officer broke client confidentiality and he got Promoted!!! 

Unfortunately, this is what the public are up against when dealing with the Lothian Assessors.

If you meet with these assessors, make sure you Tape them well, as they will never admit to the tales they tell.

Have you had a similar experience.  Please feel free to comment.

GlennCTax

Did You Challenge Your Council Tax Band In Lothian

POINT 1 - Did you see the assessors Evidence.

Did your assessor show you actual Evidence or give you hearsay Evidence as he did in our Case.
Did the assessor show you a spreadsheet with information and sizes on it.  
It was not until we asked to see actual Evidence of what the Technician was telling us, that we began to realise he was using misleading Evidence in his assessment..

POINT 2 - We understand mistakes can happen.

We have stated to the assessors that we don't mind mistakes being made, however, when we obtained Evidence of repeated cover-ups by the assessors, then it became very clear we were not dealing with mistakes. 

The Technician stated he would send us a copy of his Evidence.  Evidence which he claimed was on the office computer.  When we reminded the Technician we were still awaiting a copy of his Evidence, he wrote: 

"I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for" - Not True

At our House Meeting, the Technician was very sure of what we were "looking for".  We challenged his honesty over the sizes he was using for our attic.

He stated he thought we were looking for an explanation of how he arrived at his size, we confirmed we wanted to see a copy of his Evidence from his office computer as shown below.


POINT 3 - Quotes from Taped Evidence of House Meeting.

The Technician stated he got his attic sizes from the office computer.  We asked him to take a screen copy. 

He stated he would be happy to provide us with a screen copy as shown from the extracts below:

Appellant -  "Well why don't you take a print from it, you can take a print from a computer screen."

Technician - "I can print that anytime."  

Appellant - "Well what do you think we've been asking for." 

Technician - "I thought you were looking for an explanation of the 58%"

Appellant - "No, if you notice I asked for a copy..."

Technician - "If you want a picture of the screen, I am more than happy to give you a picture of the screen."

When we reminded the Technician we were still awaiting a copy of his Evidence, he claimed he did not know what we were talking about as shown below:

Technician replied in an email - "I’m not sure exactly what you’re looking for."!!!


POINT 4 - This was the same Technician that claimed he could not find the Attic Plan and that it never existed.

Not True - After this conversation, we went to the Planning Department and bought a copy of this Attic Plan as Evidence that the Plan did indeed exist. 

The Technician has 40 years experience and claims he can not find the Attic Plan.  We have no experience and took 2 minutes to find the Plan in the PLANNING DEPARTMENT - Believable ???

- This is the same Technician that used misleading sizes on our ground floor, then attempted a cover-up.

- This is the same Technician that used misleading Evidence for Comparisons in our own street.

- This is the same Technician that claimed there were no local Comparisons - Not True - We found 20.

- This is the same Technician that used misleading Evidence in his Court Productions in every area of his assessment.

- The Technician's attic sizes and ground floor sizes had to be corrected at a later date.

This is only one assessor, there are another 6.  Did you see your assessors Evidence!!

We are still gathering Evidence at this moment in time. We shall give updates in the coming weeks and months.

Had a similar experience.  Please feel free to comment. 

GlennCTax

FALSE STATEMENT BY THE COUNCIL TAX MANAGER – MEASURING THE ATTIC EXTERNALLY!!

POINT 1 - The Council Tax Manager, initially informed us that our attic needs to be measured internally.

After we informed the Council Tax Manager that the Technician had used an external measurement in our attic, he then changed his mind and stated that the attic should be measured externally.

However, when we wrote to the Council Tax Manager reminding him of this conversation, he denied this conversation took place. He claimed it was a misrepresentation of what happened.  

He claimed it was himself and the Valuer that made the decision to measure externally.  Not True – Taped Evidence shows he only changed his mind after we informed him that the Technician used an external measurement.

POINT 2 – The True Representation of what Happened

As the Council Tax Manager attempted to take an internal measurement for our attic, he realised there was a wardrobe at the far wall.  He stated it was going to cause a problem as the wardrobe was in the way.

When we informed him, that the Technician used an external measurement, the Council Tax Manager replied that as we are up in the attic, it needs to be an internal measurement, he then changed his mind and stated we were correct and that it is an external measurement that has to be taken.   Taped Evidence shows the Valuer took no part in this issue.

POINT 3 – Taped Evidence of Conversation that took place in the Attic

The Taped Evidence clearly shows the Valuer was not involved in this conversation as claimed by the Council Tax Manager.  

Council Tax Manager  stated - “So what we are going to do is we are going to take a size, this is where the problem is going to be because we’ve got a wardrobe in the way”

Appellant stated -  “Well there's oh the length, oh he didn’t do the length, he did external”  

Council Tax Manager  - “Aw bit for up here we need to measure internally, well we don’t need to, your right, your right we’ll do the outside measurement and that will give us the full width.”

Appellant -  “He didn’t do, that’s what I’m saying he didn’t do an internal measurement”

Council Tax Manager  - “It’s ma mind working here taking internal measurements”.

- It is clear from the above statements the Valuer played no part in this issue.
-  is also clear that even after we mentioned that the Technician measured the attic externally, the Council Tax Manager reconfirmed again that the measurement would need to be internally, before he changed his mind to make it an external measurement.

POINT 4 – This Is the same Council Tax Manger that stated he has been In 1000’s of Attics

- This is not the only area where he used misleading sizes in the attic.

- He also attempted to use misleading sizes on the ground floor.

- This Council Tax Manager gave us numerous misleading statements.

- This Council Tax Manager used misleading Evidence in every area of his assessment.

These are just some more examples of what the public have to look out for when dealing with the Lothian Assessors.

We shall continue to give updates in the coming weeks and months

Had a similar experience.  Please feel free to comment.

GlennCTax

COVER-UP BY THE COMPLAINTS OFFICER

POINT 1 - The Complaints Officer closed down our Complaint after we informed him we had Taped Evidence

When we Complained about the Senior Technician, we informed the Complaints Officer we had only given him a sample of our Evidence and we also had Taped Evidence to back up our allegations.

We stated: “Our allegations will be backed up with recorded evidence to show our statements are true”

The Complaints Officer immediately closed down our Complaint stating he could find no Evidence for our allegations.
This is just an example of how this Complaints Officer attempts to COVER-UP for the Technician!

POINT 2 - The Complaints Officer demonstrated that he understands his duties as shown below

In the same letter informing us that the Complaints Officer closed down our Complaint, he stated:

"It is important that we attempt to provide answers to all enquiries and questions placed before us..…"

Yet the Complaints Officer closed down our Complaint claiming he had investigated our Complaint!  How can he possibly investigate our Complaint when he has still to receive our Evidence!

The Complaints Officer had to reopen our Complaint after we wrote to the Assessor.

POINT 3 - The Complaints Officer closed down our 2nd Complaint without answering our questions

When we sent in Evidence of our complaint, we laid out our questions in individual points as this would allow us to receive answers to each Complaint.  We expected each Complaint point to be answered by the Complaints Officer.  Our Evidence shows he simply avoided answering our difficult questions and gave general statements in his reply stating that he did not believe what we were alleging against his Technician.  Why did he not answer the questions point by point if he had nothing to hide!

He replied stating he could not believe our allegations. He stated that due to the Technicians experience and Seniority,  he would not have deliberately misled us.  However, the assessors did not take up our offer to meet and listen to our Taped Evidence in order that they could get to the truth.

The Technicians 40 years experience and his Seniority, has no bearing on whether or not he is capable of misleading the public.  This is simply a nonsense statement from the Complaints Officer.  You only have to look at the media reports in past weeks, to see senior figures have had to resign due to their actions.  No person is above the law, no matter what position they hold, including the Complaints Officer/Depute Assessor!

POINT 4 - The Complaints Officer acknowledged how serious our allegations were in our first Complaint

The Complaints Officer stated  - "It is a matter of considerable concern therefore when a council tax payer feels the necessity to express themselves to the extent and with the conviction you have" 

"I have not taken this this matter lightly" - Yet he still attempted to cover-up by immediately closing down the Complaint. - The reason we had so much conviction, was due to the fact, we had Taped Evidence of the House Meetings

When the Complaint was reopened, our Evidence shows this Complaints Officer simply ignored our Complaint questions and made absolutely no mention of our offer to meet and listen to the Taped House meetings.  Listening to the Tapes would have shown how this Technician was giving misleading Evidence to members of the public while training a Trainee staff member!!!! - It was a complete waste of time trying to reason with the assessors, all 7 very experienced assessing staff members we dealt with, were all using misleading Evidence against us!

This is why we are Campaigning for Change.  Unfortunately, this is only a small sample of this Complaint Officers behaviour. 

If you have had any dealings with the Lothian Assessors, in the past, then you may already be aware of their behaviour.

We shall give updates in the coming weeks and months .  Had a similar experience.  Please feel free to comment.

GlennCTax

Another Example of Cover-up by the Complaints Officer/Depute Assessor

POINT 1 - We mentioned in an earlier Post how the Complaints Officer sent our Complaints to a Council Tax Manager.  The Complaints Officer claimed the Council Tax Manager needed to see these Complaints.  The Council Tax Manager stated  - he did not want sight of these Complaints.

Even after the Council Tax Manager forcibly told the Complaints Officer he did not want sight of these Complaints, the Complaints Officer - still sent the Council Tax Manager the other Complaint.

The Council Tax Manager stated, that he will not open the 2nd Complaint!! 
-  It is clear the Council Tax Manager did not need to see these Complaints!!!!

POINT 2 - We also mentioned in an earlier Post how this Complaints Officer attempted a Cover-up by immediately closing down our Complaint  against a Senior Technician. 

We had stated we still had other Evidence to send in, we also explained we had Tape Recorded Evidence to back up our allegations of the Senior Technician using misleading Evidence in his Court Productions.

- The Complaints Officer immediately closed down our Complaint before we had the opportunity to send in our Evidence. The Complaint had to be reopened after we wrote to the Assessor.

POINT 3 - Our Evidence shows this Complaints Officer also attempted a Cover-up by claiming he was not the Line Manager of the Senior Technician he was investigating.

Our Evidence shows the Complaints Manager was indeed the Line Manager of this Technician.  Our Evidence also shows this Complaints Officer had a long and close working relationship with the Technician for many years.

POINT 4 - Below is a quote of why it is important that the person chosen to investigate Senior members of staff should be independent.

"Complaints about senior staff can be difficult to handle, as there may be a conflict of interest for the staff investigating the complaint.  When serious complaints are raised against senior staff, it is particularly important that the investigation is conducted by an individual who is independent of the situation".

This is why the complaints Officer attempted to Cover-up the fact that he was the Senior Technicians Line Manager!!! 
This is only a sample, of how this Complaints Officer attempts to Cover-up for the Technician!!

Not only did the Complaints Officer deal with the Technicians Complaint, he also dealt with the Council Tax Manager and the Valuers Complaint, and this was after we Complained about the Complaints Officer.  He took complete control over every piece of information we sent into the the Lothian Assessors, he even dealt with the FOI's and used misleading replies!!!!!

Again, this is a perfect example of why we are Campaigning for Change.


POINT 5 - Evidence showing the Technician admitting the Complaints Officer is the Senior Technicians Line Manager.

a)  When we sent our Complaint to the Senior Technician, he replied informing us that he had passed the Complaint on to his Line Manager.

b)  A Freedom of Information Request shows when the Technician passed our Complaint to his Line Manager, the only person to receive this Complaint was the Complaints Officer!!! (The Technicians Line Manager).  The Complaints Officer admitted he was the only person to receive the Complaint, however, he claimed he was not the Technicians Line Manager.   

Is the Complaints Officer saying that a 40 year experienced Technician does not know who his own Line Manager is!!!!

c)  In an email we received from the Technician, he informed us he had an office meeting with his 2 Line Managers to discuss our Complaint.

A Freedom of Information Request shows the Technicians 2 Line Managers in that office were a Valuer and the Complaints Officer, again confirming the Complaints Officer is indeed the Technicians Line Manager!!!

d)  Taped Evidence shows the Technician is discussing a Valuation Appeal Minute of a Hearing, attended by his boss - the Complaints Officer.

The Technician stated - "The Assessor was represented by ma boss Mr ------" (The Complaints Officer).

The Technician again stated his boss is the Complaints Officer.  We also have as Evidence, the Minute the Technician was discussing, showing it was the Complaints Officer that was representing the Assessor at the Hearing.  

e)  Taped Evidence also shows when we asked the Council Tax Manager who also has 40 years experience with the assessors, if he knew who the Technicians Line Manager was, he also stated he thought it was the Complaints Officer!!!!  

All of the Evidence shows the Complaints Officer gave a misleading statement when he claimed under a Freedom of Information Reply - he was not the Technicians Line Manager. 

This is only a small sample of this Complaints Officers behaviour.  We have just received another 100 pages of documentation from another Lothian Appeal.  We have already found further Evidence after a brief look at these files.  We shall give further Posts after a full investigation of these files in the coming weeks and months.

Had a similar experience?  Please feel free to comment.

GlennCTax

This is just an example of how the Lothian Assessors spend the public's money

POINT 1 - We received a letter informing us of a date for our Council Tax Appeal - "Court of Law". 

Despite the fact that there was 2 very experienced Valuers on the Case, we were informed they would be using Counsel at our Hearing!

POINT 2 - We are only 2 Pensioners who do not have any assessing experience.  These Valuers have 

- Years of experience in speaking and producing evidence in a "Court of Law"
- They have access to all the Tone Date Sales.
- They have access to the property details, size, age, apartment count etc.
- The have access to all Plans and Building Warrants.
- They both have RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) credentials.
- The Court has also written to us informing us that our Taped and Documented Evidence is not admissible in Court. 

And yet they still want a further advantage of using COUNSEL!!!!

POINT 3 - Why would these 2 Experienced Valuers require the assistance of Counsel in Court

We see in previous Court Minutes how these Valuers portray themselves as Expert Witnesses.

If these 2 very experienced Valuers are not capable of presenting a Case in Court without the help of Counsel, then maybe they should not be fighting this Case!

We personally would not wish any Assessor to enlist the services of Counsel in any Council Tax Hearing.  We do not believe the public would be very supportive of such an action.  Again, this is only a sample of our Evidence on this issue.

POINT 4 - These Assessors have already been warned to change their behaviour

The Barclay Report warned these Assessors back in 2017.  We warned them back in 2019, even the Court went as far as to state that an Assessor was not a "Credible Witness"!!!

We have uncovered more Evidence from the recent files we acquired.  We shall give further updates in the coming weeks and months.

Had a similar experience?  Please feel free to comments.

GlennCTax

More Examples Of The Lothian Assessors Behaviour 

POINT 1 - The Assessors used Misleading Evidence in  Every Area of Their Assessments Then Make The Following Statements

The Council Tax Manager - "Listen, all my life dealing with Council Tax honestly, there is no one more honest than me"

The RICS Valuer - “indeed it is the antithesis of my desire in all my dealings with Council Tax”

The Senior Technician - "Cause I want you to do the best you can on the day to present your Case".

While these assessors are telling us how honest and conscientious they are, they continue to use misleading Evidence in a bid to win their Case.  This is such a huge gamble to take.   The average person would not gamble with their profession for such a minor reward.  Why not simply do your job and produce honest assessments and let the Court decide!!  

POINT 2 - These assessors repeatedly quote the Law to members of the public

Yet when we challenge their Evidence, their whole attitude changes.  Our Evidence shows these assessors all stick together and cover-up for each other.
The assessors would not listen to our Taped House Meetings, as they have no intention of holding any unscrupulous behaviour to account.  They continue to use misleading Evidence simply because there is no one willing to hold them to account.

These assessors told the Barclay Report (2017) they were going to change their behaviour, our Evidence shows nothing has changed.


POINT 3 - Our Evidence is building on a weekly basis.  We have already met and communicated with other Appellants that show we are not alone. 
After reading through the 300 pages of Court Minutes, we can see this type of behaviour has been going on for decades!  

All my life I have stood up to bullies and the fact that I am a pensioner now, does not make any difference.  We believe this is only the tip of the iceberg!! 

Do you live in Lothian?  Have you seen Evidence of your Council Tax Band?

We shall continue to give updates in the coming weeks and months.

Had a similar experience.  Please feel free to comment.