Can we get our council tax band changed?

Naiverenovators

Hi everyone,

We’ve been doing some searching in regards to council tax bands. We moved into our current home 3 weeks ago and our council tax band is E (Cheshire east) since Council tax came into effect in April 1993. 

The property was built in 1932, our query is in regards to local improvements. A large shopping complex which includes access to local supermarkets were built a five minute walk away from the property in 1995. As far as I can see online this could potentially be classed as a local improvement that may affect property value. Everyone on our road has a council tax band E so I don’t think this has previously been challenged. 

Unfortunately there are no sales records for the property around 1995 as most homes on this road have been owned for 30 years plus. I wanted to ask if anyone knew whether it was worth submitting an application to the council to get the council tax band reviewed since this complex was built after the council tax band was decided for these properties. Also in recent years a large gym Group was built within a five minute walk from the property too.

Thanks in advance!

Ayr_Rage

Are you trying to get it increased?

Jude57

Naiverenovators said:

Hi everyone,

We’ve been doing some searching in regards to council tax bands. We moved into our current home 3 weeks ago and our council tax band is E (Cheshire east) since Council tax came into effect in April 1993. 

The property was built in 1932, our query is in regards to local improvements. A large shopping complex which includes access to local supermarkets were built a five minute walk away from the property in 1995. As far as I can see online this could potentially be classed as a local improvement that may affect property value. Everyone on our road has a council tax band E so I don’t think this has previously been challenged. 

Unfortunately there are no sales records for the property around 1995 as most homes on this road have been owned for 30 years plus. I wanted to ask if anyone knew whether it was worth submitting an application to the council to get the council tax band reviewed since this complex was built after the council tax band was decided for these properties. Also in recent years a large gym Group was built within a five minute walk from the property too.

Thanks in advance!

The first thing you need to know is that it's not the Council who decide Council Tax banding. It's the Valuation Office Agency. There's a quick tool here but you'll need plenty of evidence that supports your claim for a reduction:

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands

And all the other neighbouring properties also being Band E doesn't only suggest there have been no challenges. To me, it suggests that, if there HAVE been any challenges, they have been unsuccessful.  Hopefully @lincroft1710 who formerly worked for VOA will be along with some advice.

lincroft1710

It is extremely doubtful that the shopping centre or gym being a 5 minute walk away would have a negative effect on the value of your home. As @Ayr_Rage implies these are more likely to enhance the value. I would also suggest that if you considered these negative factors, you wouldn't have bought your home.


Further even if there was a negative effect on the value, unless the 1991 value of your home was at the bottom of Band E, it would not result in a band reduction