Incorrect PAD info, worth challenging?

Bexxy4573

We recently moved to a new rental house, and were surprised that the council tax bans is F, when it last house, much bigger, was a band D. We have lived in various houses over the years, only other one the same band was at least twice as big, more bedrooms, bathrooms, reception rooms etc.

I requested the PAD and it is wrong in a few ways. It says it's detached, which we don't think it is as it's attached to commercial properties (epc states end terrace) it says two floors when it is three, it says 200m2 when we think it's closer to 140m2.

It does have the number of bedrooms correct, but is short of one other room and a bathroom, but the bathroom is a very recent addition we think, and the kitchen has been moved into an extension at some point.

There are no similar houses near to compare with, it's very rural old farm house. Is it worth challenging on the Pad details being wrong? Does it sound likely that the Banding would be wrong with it being smaller than they have it, over more floors and not detached, or could it go up as we have an extra room than they list, and an extra bathroom?

Glad

Have a read of this article on the main site

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/council-tax-bands-change/

Bexxy4573

Yes I read that, that's how I found out about requesting the PAD. Just wondering if it's worth the possible risk of challenging. Is it much of a risk that it could be put into an even higher Banding due to having an extra reception room and bathroom than they list? How does number of floors affect it, is it seen as a positive or negative (to me it's a huge negative!).

Yes it lists things that should reduce its value, such as only being 2/3 the size they think it is, and not being detached, but it also has some errors that could increase the value.

Also wondered if anyone had any insight into if it should be considered detached? Pad says it includes link detached. We are attached to old farm buildings (full height of house attached to other building) that are let out to various businesses as storage. The epc states end terrace, which could be correct as it's at the end of the row of at least 4 other properties, though they are commercial not residential. I understand epc details are not to be relied on, been stung by them in the past!

lincroft1710

Is there any possibility you have looked at the PAD of a property with a similar address as there appears to be too many mistakes for it to be just an error. It is probably worth appealing the band, but remember you will have to provide evidence to support your case

Bexxy4573

The PAD was sent to me by the voa. You have to send proof of residency to get it, as you can't access ones for other houses, so I would hope that they sent me the right one.

lincroft1710

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81909393#Comment_81909393

I'm ex VOA but left years before there were PADs. You dispute the size of the property, but how have you arrived at your figures. The VOA use external measurements, adding the sizes of all floors together, so if you have used room sizes, you will come to a much lower figure