Should I appeal VOA decision?

Beelee99

I posted a fair while back, regarding appealing my Council tax band decision.
For background, I live in a development that was built in 1999, and most houses sold in early 2000's. Prices paid at the time, when using the terrible indices method indicate the band for my type of property (there are 3 identical ones in the street) would be a "G", however, subsequent sales would place it in an "F". I looked locally, and found a significant number of properties of similar size in band F, and used all of these to challenge my band.
The result is peculiar, in that the house that is almost identical to mine in a neighbouring street (that is a band F, and in my mind the "smoking gun" of comparison) The VOA state "- smaller than your

property. Supports your property being in the band above (G)." This property is not smaller.

The subsequent comparisons I provided most of which are slightly smaller I received "I have requested a review of this property’s Council Tax band as I am of the opinion it is incorrect. Due to data protection legislation the VOA is unable to disclose or discuss the outcome of this review

with yourself."
Some of those comparisons that are being reviewed are notably smaller than the initial one I mention above, yet they are being reviewed. every property I use in my challenge, apart from the one most alike is being reviewed due to my challenge. 

My questions really are - if all properties I challenged are being reviewed (bar the one that is most like mine) - is the decision worth appealing? 

Secondly, the "Reduced covered area" is the used method of determining a properties size, which I think in my instance must include the detached garage, yet i would guess does not include the detached garage in the main house I was trying to compare to. Is there a way I can obtain RCA measurements for the properties in question, and see if they do or do not include the detached garages? 

Any tips or guides on appeals would be really appreciated too! 
Thanks. 

lincroft1710

Rather than start a new thread it would have been better to continue with the old thread.


"Reduced Covered Area" is the outmoded VOA term for Gross External Area. It is highly unlikely the VOA would have included the garage as it should not be included. Unless the VOA disclose the RCA measurements they hold for a property, the only way you can obtain these is by physically measuring.


If you were out of time to make a formal appeal then there is little point in appealing their decision as there is no independent body to appeal to.


The VOA is no longer "customer friendly". Writing ""I have requested a review of this property’s Council Tax band as I am of the opinion it is incorrect. Due to data protection legislation the VOA is unable to disclose or discuss the outcome of this review with yourself." is misleading as you would be able to check the band at a later date to see if it had been increased.

Beelee99

thank you for your reply. Appreciated.

I am not out of time to make a formal appeal, I challenged within the first 4 weeks of moving in, and have been told I have 3 months to appeal. I'm wondering if it is worth the likely stress, especially based on what I have been told so far. 

lincroft1710

Definitely worth appealing as the appeal will be heard by the independent Valuation Tribunal who will make a decision based on the evidence submitted by both yourself and the VOA