Council Tax Banding

smurkej

Hi,

Neighbours Check

On my road which is a sort of cul-de-sac there are six houses. 

3 houses joined together, and then a space and another 3 houses joined together.

All of the houses are a similar size and were built at the same time,a few years ago.

The first 3 houses are all in a lower band. My two neighbours and I are in a higher band.

I'm not sure what the first 3 houses sold for and can't find it out via land registry, zoopla etc. 

But being that they were built at the same time and that they are a similar size does it matter?


Valuation Check
I have passed the valuation check - according to that my neighbours and I should be in the lower band.

So do you think I should be able to challenge my banding and if so, to put forward evidence is it best to wait for the PAD I've asked for via the online form? I've tried phoning but can't see a way to ask for it via the phone as there's no one to speak to seemingly.

And what's the best way of challenging? Through gov.uk or by emailing ctinbox@voa.gov.uk ?

Thanks

smurkej

I've just spoken to someone from the VOA. Nice helpful lady.

she's sending my Property Attribute Details via email and I explained why I'm challenging my banding. I mentioned the other houses in a lower band and she put me on hold whilst she had a look and came back to me to say that they are similar to our houses (my neighbours and I) so she's raising a case for it. So sounds promising!

smurkej

I've just received my PAD and they have my property type wrong as well...

Type : HS - Semi-detached house 

Mine is an end of terrace house, there are two other houses attached to mine.

born_again

smurkej said:

I've just received my PAD and they have my property type wrong as well...

Type : HS - Semi-detached house 

Mine is an end of terrace house, there are two other houses attached to mine.

One with 2 houses attached would be a mid terrace.

lincroft1710

There is always a possibility that those in the higher band are correct, but it is a possibility rather than a probability. Is your house end or mid terrace? But you can have both types (and semis) correctly in the same band. What is unusual is that the difference hasn't been picked up previously.

smurkej

Mines end of terrace.

They've listed mine and my neighbours (two other houses) band c. The 3 houses near us are band b.

I got an email to say the voa will be reviewing this after I spoke to them but I assume it would be prudent to send an email reply with photos etc. to back up my challenge?

lincroft1710

The VOA should have details of all 6 houses unless they were built 1990-93, but it wouldn't hurt to send photos

smurkej

lincroft1710 said:

The VOA should have details of all 6 houses unless they were built 1990-93, but it wouldn't hurt to send photos

Thanks for the reply. It's just that, whilst I explained over the phone that the three houses are band b, and whilst she did put me on hold whilst she looked at one of them and then came back to say that they are similar and it is worth reviewing in the subsequent email it only says "I will carry out a review of the Council Tax band for the above property. " and doesn't say anything else regarding what will be looked at (ie comparisons with other houses) so that's why I wondered whether I should reply to the email with my own photos. She did say that they will most likely use Google street view when they come to review it etc but I didn't know if whoever does look at between now and six months time will check with the due diligence.  

So as you say may as well send my own photos from Google street view. 

As I said previously I don't know how much the other 3 houses sold for so can't get that or square meters but did pass the neighbour check and valuation check for my own banding so will just include that and the photos... is there anything else that would be worth sending or do you think that should suffice?

lincroft1710

Unless you know of any other similar houses in the neighbourhood in Band B, that should suffice. Her email is probably stock reply, so don't worry about precise wording. Also don't be too concerned if you don't hear from them within 6 months, the VOA have a backlog at the moment

smurkej

lincroft1710 said:

Unless you know of any other similar houses in the neighbourhood in Band B, that should suffice. Her email is probably stock reply, so don't worry about precise wording. Also don't be too concerned if you don't hear from them within 6 months, the VOA have a backlog at the moment

So are you saying that I don't need to send any evidence over myself? Essentially all I have done is phoned the VOA and explained the situation, the lady I spoke to put me on hold whilst she looked at the houses saying it looks like I am in the wrong band and then sent an email to say they will look into it. I haven't actually sent anything over via email etc.

This is the email I received after said call:

I will carry out a review of the Council Tax band for the above property. 

Band reviews are taking up to six months to clear. Please do not contact us to chase up your case before six months has passed, unless you have any new or additional information you need to provide.

You need to continue to pay Council Tax while I look into your challenge.

You should be aware that the review may result in the band going up, down or remaining the same. The review may also result in neighbouring properties being affected by the outcome.

What happens next

I will contact you if I need more information or need to visit the property.

If the band changes I will send a formal notification to the property and notify the local council. They will contact you about changes to the Council Tax bill and answer any questions you have about payment.

 

Please be aware that this is an informal review of your Council Tax band, and you cannot appeal my decision. To understand more about informal and formal band challenges, please go to GOV.UK and search ‘challenge your Council Tax Band’.

lincroft1710

If you do have evidence of other similar houses in Band B then send it, if not wait for them to contact you which will be in at least 6 months as they have a backlog