Getting council To change banding

Sarahwicks73

I’ve tried to get our council in Huntingdonshire to reduce our council tax band as I’ve found out that the four bed detached house next door to us that has many outbuildings and 7 acres is in a lower band than us with a four bed detached with 2.8 acres.  The council say I have not provided evidence of a like for like property?????   Does anyone have any useful pointers for me?   Thanks 

lincroft1710

You will not be dealing with the council, but with the VOA (part of HMRC).


1.If the land is used for agricultural purposes it cannot be reflected in the CT band.


2. If the house and land next door is a working farm, then the CT band is calculated by a different method (identified in the Valuation List by "(C)" next to the band) and cannot be used to compare your band and the band will always be lower than an identical standalone house.


3. If the house next door is of a different size (your house may have 4 beds but could be larger in overall area) or age to yours then you cannot compare the bands.


4. The house next door may be in the wrong band.


5. For the VOA to investigate your band you either need to provide them with relevant sales evidence from 1990 -1992 (which will be almost impossible as such evidence is not in the public domain) or look for houses in the area of a similar age, type and size in a lower band.