Challenge Council Tax Help

stephb888

Hi all,

Currently going through the pain of challenging my council tax band and they’ve dug their heels in from my initial email. I have now pulled together a PowerPoint to make it crystal clear. I’d rather not post it on this where it has my property details but if anyone is willing to feedback then let me know and I will DM or send link. 

I’m really not willing to let this slide when there are literally twin properties within the same block!

The only difference is I am ground floor and have a small patio but internals are exact same. 

Thank you!

ChargebackCharlie

What did they say in their decline? I know from raising this issue myself in the past that they can decide that yours has the correct banding and the other property could be raised to the same band as you.

stephb888

Below is what I received back despite sending the Rightmove links for my property and the two identical flats within the block which are B whilst I am C. I also sent EPC links. It's only a small one bed flat so B feels correct whereas the two bed flats within the block, which are double the square footage, are Band C.

Jude57

stephb888 said:

Hi all,

Currently going through the pain of challenging my council tax band and they’ve dug their heels in from my initial email. I have now pulled together a PowerPoint to make it crystal clear. I’d rather not post it on this where it has my property details but if anyone is willing to feedback then let me know and I will DM or send link. 

I’m really not willing to let this slide when there are literally twin properties within the same block!

The only difference is I am ground floor and have a small patio but internals are exact same. 

Thank you!

Hopefully @lincroft1710 will respond. They are ex VOA and highly respected and knowledgeable. I'd say that the VOA aren't likely to watch a random Powerpoint presentation you send them, though, because it's not actual evidence that the Band of your flat is incorrect. And I can't imagine the VOA would allow you to deliver a Powerpoint presentation in person at their premises. From what you say it's more a way of putting your opinion across and I'm sorry to say, I don't think that will help to convince the VOA in any way. .

lincroft1710

Depending on the 1991 values it is possible that being on the GF and having a patio could push the value into Band C. You do not say when you bought the flat or whether it was a new build. As it appears the VOA do not accept that the evidence you have provided of flats within your block indicates your band is incorrect, I would see if you can find 1 bed GF flats of a similar size and age as yours in nearby blocks in Band B.


I agree with @Jude57 that the VOA are unlikely to accept a Powerpoint presentation, so just send your findings in an easy to read tabulated form in an e-mail

stephb888

Thanks for your reply! 

Maybe saying PowerPoint makes it sound jazzier than what it is 🤣; I would be sending as a 4 page PDF as below. I am only doing this as I was fobbed off when I sent Rightmove and EPC links so I think having it as below format then there should be no doubt but any feedback appreciated. 

I don’t know if the EPC square footage being incorrect for flat 7 is a possible issue but flat 11 and 14 should counteract this.

I bought the flat 5 years ago and the building was converted from a former shop in 2009. I just think it's mad that a tiny one bed flat could be considered C. Is A a shed?!

lincroft1710

That is too small to read!

stephb888

lincroft1710 said:

That is too small to read!

I will DM you the PDF if that's okay? The resolution isn't great either when I snip 4 times. Really appreciate your time

lincroft1710

Have managed to open in new tab and enlarge to a readable format. Your flat and the 2 above will all be the same size. The EPC or estate agent measurements should all be the same for each flat, so there is inaccuracy somewhere. The 3rd floor flat is in my opinion inferior because of the kitchen units in the living room rather than in a dedicated area, and as the VOA exclude areas under 1.5m headroom from their calculation, will be even smaller than stated.


At the moment you have evidence of possible inconsistent banding with no evidence as to which is incorrect. Comparison of the sale prices of all 4 flats would be interesting but may not be conclusive. 

stephb888

lincroft1710 said:

Have managed to open in new tab and enlarge to a readable format. Your flat and the 2 above will all be the same size. The EPC or estate agent measurements should all be the same for each flat, so there is inaccuracy somewhere. The 3rd floor flat is in my opinion inferior because of the kitchen units in the living room rather than in a dedicated area, and as the VOA exclude areas under 1.5m headroom from their calculation, will be even smaller than stated.


At the moment you have evidence of possible inconsistent banding with no evidence as to which is incorrect. Comparison of the sale prices of all 4 flats would be interesting but may not be conclusive. 

Okay thank you, that's good to know. The whole building is either flats of B or C banding. My layout is the smallest at 35sqm with all other C bands being the larger one beds (58sqm) or two bedrooms (90sqm) so it feels that I am amiss rather than the other two identical being undervalued. Frustratingly, I know I cannot use this as supporting evidence.

I will try to get some sales history as supporting evidence and follow up.

lincroft1710

58 sq m is quite large for a 1 bed flat as is 90 sq m for a 2 bed. Most 3 bed semis aren't even 90 sq m