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Unsure if I should appeal my council tax banding decision

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Comments

  • Lottie83
    Lottie83 Posts: 37 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    I see, thank you for confirming 
  • Lottie83
    Lottie83 Posts: 37 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 10 September at 4:34PM
    [Image removed by Forum Team]

    Well I didn’t expect to be back quite so soon but I’ve received the below email from the VOA. 

    It appears they have created a new challenge and I’m to allow 12 months for a response. 

    Can I ask if this is correct please? I just thought I was querying the original challenge? 

    I did state in my original challenge that the measurements were incorrect so I’m
    unsure why they didn’t send someone to check rather than just rejecting my challenge? 
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 19,076 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I think this is incorrect, your original challenge is still outstanding and creating a new one is to your detriment as its start date is outside the 6 month time limit for an appeal to the Tribunal.
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • Lottie83
    Lottie83 Posts: 37 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thank you. I have spoken to the VOA again and they’ve advised to ignore the new challenge and just proceed to an appeal. 

  • Lottie83
    Lottie83 Posts: 37 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hello, I’m back yet again with another question - sorry! 

    I’ve checked the band D properties in my village and the three villages used by the VOA. I have found 20 detached properties which are all larger than mine. Unfortunately the information isn’t available for all the properties, so there may potentially be more. 

    The VOA wouldn’t give me the external
    measurements, but as the majority of these properties are larger internally than mine is externally, it’s safe to say they are bigger than mine. 

    Please can I ask if this is enough evidence? Or do I also need to try and look at the values in 1991? I fear that may be an impossible task!  

    Thank you 
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 19,076 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    You can use whatever you believe supports your case. If VOA records show these properties are not larger than yours, they will soon tell you. What you should be concentrating on is getting your home remeasured, as this may save you a lot of work if the measurements are found to be incorrect.
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • Lottie83
    Lottie83 Posts: 37 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thank you. 

    I have asked the VOA to measure my house and they’ve advised that this isn’t something they would do. They said the Council measured it (but wouldn’t say when) and that is the information they are using. The measurements they hold are 100% incorrect but they do not seem to be interested in ascertaining the correct measurements. 

    I’ve also explained the discrepancy with the size of my house has resulted in their decision being based on incorrect information but they have just said to appeal. 

    I’m not sure what else to do in terms of getting this resolved? I certainly cannot get a clear answer from the VOA about this. 
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 19,076 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    It is incumbent upon the VOA to resolve any factual inaccuracies before any Tribunal hearing takes place. The Tribunal would not look kindly on the VOA if it gets to that stage with an unresolved dispute about the size of the property. If the council did measure it,which is a possibility, then that would have been done prior to 1950.


    Just remind them that it is in their interests that there is agreement between the parties on such matters prior to the Tribunal hearing 
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • Lottie83
    Lottie83 Posts: 37 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    I absolute agree that it’s in both parties best interest to resolve this dispute. 

    Perhaps my challenge wouldn’t have been rejected had they had the correct measurements. 

    Thank you for your advice, I will phone the VOA again tomorrow. 
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