Challenge Council Tax Ban issue

thriftguy

After moving to a new property on 01 Aug 2025, I challenged the Council Tax Band with the VOA - property Band C.

I collated all the info. I could regarding the properties value as 01 April 1991.

Long story, but very limited records available, e.g. Land Registry House Price Index, with nothing specific of any of the 13 identical properties value/sale price around that time but from the couple of entries/values available and a various valuation checks, such as - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/council-tax-bands-change/?lid=v9e0c8pbbz1a&utm_source=MSE_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=06-Jan-26-d9988172ec24ca8a2db-695d6f393426511c6ea325222dfd10d1&source=CRM-MSETIP-d9988172ec24ca8a2db&utm_campaign=nt-bignote-two&utm_content=6#step2, the VOA have declined the challenge.

Properties in this area are generally different designs, etc. and these 13 properties are a 'in-fill' development, built c. 1975, most in ownership since before 1991.

I am able to appeal by mid- Feb 2026.

Do you have any suggestions of how I can establish the property value in April 1991, please?

I have spoken with my solicitor - no records available from 1991 or around, with a similar responses from a couple of estate agents and valuers.

My only thought is to try and access newspapers from around April 1991.

lincroft1710

Although they are the only available guide, newspaper ads will only give asking prices, and often won't specifically identify a property. I would suggest you try to find properties of a similar age, size and type in the neighbourhood in a lower band, However as the the bands of the 13 properties you mention have been extremely well established, you will have an uphill struggle trying to prove they are wrong

Mungo_Jerry

thriftguy said:

Do you have any suggestions of how I can establish the property value in April 1991, please?

I think they will consider up to 2 years after, i.e. up to 1st April 1993. Do any of the other properties that you are comparing against have sales during that period?

Are you saying that the 13 identical properties are in a different band to you? Or some are and some are not? How sure are you that these 13 properties are truly identical?

lincroft1710

Mungo_Jerry said:

thriftguy said:

Do you have any suggestions of how I can establish the property value in April 1991, please?

I think they will consider up to 2 years after, i.e. up to 1st April 1993. Do any of the other properties that you are comparing against have sales during that period?

Are you saying that the 13 identical properties are in a different band to you? Or some are and some are not? How sure are you that these 13 properties are truly identical?

Although the VOA say this, any sales you find would have to be adjusted upwards to reflect the fall in property values from 1991 to 1993. In any case VOA have details of 99.9% of property sales in England and Wales 

thriftguy

Thank you.
The 13 properties are identical, a couple have alterations.
All in same band - but seem/appear over-valued in April 1991.
One property sold in time period (until 01 Apr 1993) valued at lower that banded figures/category.  
Most of other properties purchased before 1991 and not many sold since then and if sold after 2002, etc.

lincroft1710

Because of the fall in house prices between 1991 and 1993 (around 20%) a sale price lower than £52,000 would not be unexpected. You are going to need a lot more evidence to mount a case and you need to be specific with property address and sale date.


I would suggest you look at the bands of other 1960s to 1980s houses of a similar type and size in the area and see if you can find any in Band B