Council tax challenge advice

0z2000

Hi

Can I have some advice please. Previous posted in the wrong thread. I'm not very good at tech 😔.

I recently challenged my council tax band. I checked using the correct calculator on MSE. Plus the bungalow I'm adjoined to which is a band B (I'm a C).

The reply I received was identified 5 more properties in the area similar size, built similar time with same curbside appearance. Plus provide sales evidence?

Do I need to provide all the above and how do I prove sales evidence? I used Rightmove for the information and submitted how much the property sold for in 2006. Which clearly shows it's the wrong band.

I feel like I'm being fobbed off and unsure what to do next.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Many thanks

Isthisforreal99

You have again posted in the wrong part of the forum - try here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/other-reclaiming-mortgage-fees-council-tax-etc

lincroft1710

The VOA will not accept evidence of house price calculators and doubtful if they would accept a Rightmove 2006 price. There is a possibility that the adjoining bungalow is too low. Obviously provide the info re 5 similar properties (if you can find any), but if it is 1991 sales evidence the VOA are looking for, it is not in the public domain, the earliest is 1995 and because of the fall in house prices at that time will be a lot lower than 1991 prices

0z2000

Hi

If that is the case how do I challenge it? If it's not in the public domain then one would assume a person can't challenge which I believe to be discriminatory.

I have followed all the steps on MSE and to me the evidence is clear. On Rightmove you can find the year houses sold and the prices. I know this as iv done my research. The bungalow I'm adjoined to following the same procedure and calculations is in the correct band which is a band B.

lincroft1710

I'm ex VOA and what they've asked you to do regarding 5 similar properties is exactly the advice I would give. If RM does not have actual 1991 sold prices, it won't be much use to you. If you've calculated 1991 sale prices using house price indices from a 2006 sale price, the VOA will just reject this.

Nowadays the VOA is centralised and plays hardball, it is intransigent and operates from a position of "Your band is correct". It is very difficult to persuade them otherwise, unless you have a one in a million piece of 1991 sales evidence which they missed (the VOA have details of 99. 999% of all property sales going back many decades)

0z2000

Hi lincroft1710

Thank you for your advice. I will do what is suggested and see how far I get 😊.

I don't think they have any intention of investigating as it's easier to put obstacles in people's way. Your insite was genuinely appreciated.

Thankyou