Council Tax Rebanding Success Story

Walker_321

Local Council:  Horsham District
Previous Band: E
New Band:  D
Refund:  £8,369
Annual Savings: £477

We have been living in the same house for more than 40 years. I recently discovered that one can check the Council Tax Bands in your road on a gov.uk website. We are a Close with 32 houses, 6 of which are detached 4 bedroom and on Band E.  The other houses were originally 3-bed semi detached and all are Band D.  We always accepted our Band E valuation, as we had a big extension in 1991 and had an extra bedroom built.  It wasn't until I checked this MSE website that I read about the relevant valuation date of 1st April 1991, which we weren't aware of.  I checked our planning application, which wasn't approved until 9th April 1991, so it was incorrect to value us as a Band E, as it couldn't be assumed that we would get Planning Permission.  Our extension was completed in September 1991.  Our Challenge was accepted and I was told it could be November 2023 before we heard back, but it has only taken 3 weeks.  The Refund for 30 years of overpaid Council Tax was received this morning.  We are also awaiting a revised Direct Debit from Horsham Council, so there will be quite a saving on this year too.  Our Band is now officially D not E and we have an Improvement Indicator on our property, which is what should have been done over 30 years ago. Thank You MSE.

lincroft1710

The VOA have made a big mistake in reducing your band.

Although the Antecedent Valuation Date is 1 April 1991, it is the physical state of the dwelling as at 1April 1993 which is relevant  So as the extension was completed in September 1991 it can be correctly reflected in the band