Is there a time limit to council tax rebounding proposals?

potatoman3

Hi,

I shan't bore you with all the details but I have a quick question on rebranding process.

Is there a time limit from when a house purchase was made for the VOA to change a council tax band? In a response to me the VOA have said "the review was triggered by the appellants purchase on 11th November 2021. The reason it was not processed until 2023 is that this type of case is not a priority. They are completed when time allows".

The legislation states provision "as to the period within which a proposal must be made;". But nowhere can I find what this period is. Was it ever defined or was it just made possible that a period could be included.

Thanks.

harpee

Hi. No there isn't a time limit for the voa to increase the band following a sale. In England a band increase wouldn't be backdated so in this instance there is a benefit to them being slow! If your band has been increased you will have been sent a notice of alteration which would include details of how to appeal it (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-notice-of-alteration)
It sounds like the band has been reviewed because there has been a relevant transaction, not because of a proposal. Proposals are when a person proposes an alteration to the list, which is a formal process with a right of appeal.

If you disagree with the new band this is grounds to make a proposal that the voa.You would need to do it within six months of the band change.

potatoman3

Thanks @harpee - I really appreciate your response, I know it's a basic question.