Should I apply for council tax band reduction? (Scotland)

DixieBear123

I have read the MSE Guide on claiming a council tax band reduction and I am hoping to get more guidance and advice from the forum. 

I suppose my ultimate question would be should I do it and what's the harm? 

I'm currently a Band F. I have looked at neighbouring council tax bands and there are similar properties also a Band F but likewise there are much larger properties also in a Band F. 

When I use the calculator to estimate the property value in 1991 (using data from the 3 previous sales of this property), it shows Band D or E. 

I can't foresee there being a risk of my council tax banding increasing, so although MSE advise not to do it unless you are 100% sure, I can't see why I shouldn't try? Surely the worst they can do is say no? 

lincroft1710

Because of the way banding works, it would be quite normal to find larger properties in the same band, it is not a good reason to seek a band reduction.


House price calculators are inaccurate and I doubt the Assessor would accept this as good evidence for a band reduction. What about your own purchase, what did the calculator suggest for the 1991 value?

DixieBear123

Hi, thank you for your response. 

For the 1991 values, I based it from a sale in 2001 (when the property was built), 2016 and 2023 (my own purchase). The estimate showed E, D, E respectively. 

lincroft1710

If you are still within the 6 month time limit for appeals, you will need to find good evidence to support your case and would suggest you look for similar houses in the area in a lower band.

DixieBear123

Thanks for your advice. I suppose ultimately I just want to know what's the harm in trying? 

I understand there could be a risk in some scenarios that the band is increased, however I do not consider that to be a risk for my situation. (my house is approximately 100 sqm and there are others which are substantially larger at 150 sqm but in the same banding, so I do not see how they could reasonably increase mine). 

 Although it's unlikely to be unsuccessful, why not chance it and see? 

MorningcoffeeIV

DixieBear123 said:

Thanks for your advice. I suppose ultimately I just want to know what's the harm in trying? 

I understand there could be a risk in some scenarios that the band is increased, however I do not consider that to be a risk for my situation. (my house is approximately 100 sqm and there are others which are substantially larger at 150 sqm but in the same banding, so I do not see how they could reasonably increase mine). 

 Although it's unlikely to be unsuccessful, why not chance it and see? 

The primary risks are that your band goes up and/or so does the band of your neighbours.

So keep your head down when they start looking for the culprit....

lincroft1710

DixieBear123 said:

Thanks for your advice. I suppose ultimately I just want to know what's the harm in trying? 

I understand there could be a risk in some scenarios that the band is increased, however I do not consider that to be a risk for my situation. (my house is approximately 100 sqm and there are others which are substantially larger at 150 sqm but in the same banding, so I do not see how they could reasonably increase mine). 

 Although it's unlikely to be unsuccessful, why not chance it and see? 

As @MorningcoffeeIV has said there is a risk the larger properties' bands may be increased. Unless you have good evidence to support your case (and nothing you have quoted so far is good evidence) it would be a waste of everybody's time.

Plug123

Ask the Assessor how they arrived at the council tax band for your property.  If they say you are "out of time" ask for an informal review and see what they say.  If there is no sales evidence close to 1st April 1991 (the tone date) then ask them exactly how they got to the band applied to your property.  I believe that where there is no sales evidence for a property roundabout the tone date, and there is no comparable properties sold on or around the tone date then the Assessor relies on uplift checks and rate per square metre calculations.  So find out what they actually used. If there was a sale of your property or a comparable property roundabout 1 April 1991 ask them if only the sale price evidence was used....or if they applied an "uplift" - if they did apply an uplift why did they do this.  Disclaimer: I do not know anything about council tax legislation but have picked up this information through reading decisions published by the Local Tax Chamber in Scotland.

lincroft1710

Plug123 said:  If they say you are "out of time" ask for an informal review and see what they say. 

As this thread was started in November 2023, the OP is well out of time to make a formal appeal. 

Plug123

I suggested asking for an informal review not a formal appeal.  The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman says               " Informal Review Many -  enquiries can be sorted out quickly and informally. The local Assessor may review your band and advise you of the decision. Please note that if your home is in council tax band A, which is the lowest band, the local Assessor cannot reduce this band further"

lincroft1710

Plug123 said:

I suggested asking for an informal review not a formal appeal.  The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman says               " Informal Review Many -  enquiries can be sorted out quickly and informally. The local Assessor may review your band and advise you of the decision. Please note that if your home is in council tax band A, which is the lowest band, the local Assessor cannot reduce this band further"

It's academic anyway as the OP hasn't logged on since Dec 2023