Council Tax -timeframe for responses to a challenge

countryliving24

Hi all, 
After moving into a new house in Devon and receiving the first council tax bill, I immediately raised a formal  council tax challenge as I noted that they had the wrong property details (they appear to have mixed up my property with my neighbour's property, which has some 30% more internal floorspace and more bedrooms and bathrooms).  I gave them evidence that the PAD are wrong. This was 10 months ago- and all I am hearing from the VAO is - we are looking into it. Is there a legal maximum timeframe by when they must make a decision? I am frustrated in having to pay (and fund) paying a council tax that is too high. They will never pay interest and I fear it is a simple way to string this out for years. 

lincroft1710

If it goes beyond 12 months I would suggest making an official complaint via VOA complaints service. However it is highly unlikely to go much beyond 12 months before they make a decision. Apparently the VOA are currently behind schedule. 


It may be frustrating, but it is best to let them look into it properly rather than get a hasty "computer says no" generic response and then have the attendant hassle of a Valuation Tribunal hearing.


I am presuming that by "new" it is a new build