How do i find out house prices in 1991

John_Pierpoint

Are you sure that there is not a microfilm copy of at least one of the local newspapers somewhere in the town/county library system?
You could try talking to local history societies to see if they are aware of this "shocking" state of affairs. (You might have come up against "the Saturday temp." in your local branch library?) It is amazing how much "stuff" they really have in their store rooms if you can get on the right side of an experienced librarian.
I have fond memories of a sandwiches and flask day and going boss eyed searching for a 1983 house valuation for CGT purposes on microfilm in Elmbridge.

vivatifosi

As a last port-of-call for newspapers I'd always try the British Library. They have a copy of most things, however there may be a cost. Give their helpline a ring, they are very knowledgeable:

https://www.bl.uk

John_Pierpoint

I had a quick Google for the newspaper section of the British Library at Colindale (see London underground map). Lots and lots of mainly historical newspapers and magazines BUT the only one coming close to the concept was Daltons Weekly, which would be too general for this local purpose.
A long established firm of local Estate Agents should have records BUT they would expect to be paid. In the days before the likes of Zoopla their library of "comparables" was one of the few advantages they could offer over the rest of us.

ioscorpio

I looked on the records in the library but there were not any houses in my surrounding streets for sale in 1991.

John_Pierpoint

Take an average of 1990 and 1992?

lincroft1710

John P's idea is quite sensible. It will give you a good idea of 1991 asking prices.

jenniferfluff29

Hi everyone

Hoping some people who have been through the process may advise. Looking for some advice on whether I should chance asking for a re-evaluation based on the following:

1. Detached house in Scotland.
2. All detached houses same as mine in the street are a band E.
3. Also identical house to mine in layout, size etc but they are semi's which are
all band D.

My basis for re-banding (briefly) is that my house valued for £185K in May this year. A semi (across the street) was valued at £180K in August. The semi is not too badly decorated. Our house needed a full re-dec (old and dated). The houses were both valued by the same chartered surveyor. Taking into account the drop in house prices between the two valuation, my house would probably have valued at about the same price in the August. For info, my house also has a conservatory and downstair cloakroom which the semi doesn't have.

The whole crux of my appeal is that both houses are valuing at around the same price this year and therefore were probably valuing around the same price in 1991.

Does anyone thing that this is sufficient evidence for an appeal or am I wasting my time. Alot of the houses in the whole estate have had conservatories or extensions added but they have not been re-banded.

Thanks for anyone who has any thoughts (even if it is that I am crazy to try)

Fluff

Altarf

jenniferfluff29 wrote: »

My basis for re-banding (briefly) is that my house valued for £185K in May this year. A semi (across the street) was valued at £180K in August. The semi is not too badly decorated. Our house needed a full re-dec (old and dated).

The first problem is that you are not comparing "like for like". To place all valuations on a common footing, a number of assumptions are made, which are set out in law. One of which is that the dwelling was in a state of reasonable repair, so you would have to compare the value of a detached house in a "state of reasonable repair" with a semi in the same state.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/localgov/ctvb-00.asp

Next, although the prices being close now, gives an indication that they might have been close in 1991, but you do really need evidence of the selling prices in 1991,

You say they are close (within £5k), but the problem with banding is that you only need £1 difference to put them into different bands. Again, you really need to some more work on the 1991 prices.

As for conservatories and extensions being added and the property not re-banded, a revaluation only takes place when a property is sold. On the England & Wales database (not sure about Scotland), if a property is marked with a star, then you know work has been done and it will be re-banded when sold.

jenniferfluff29

Thanks for the info Altarf. I will get along to the local library and look at house prices in 1991.

I didn't realise that the decor would make a significant change to the value of the house. Our house will not cost £5K to decorate and we have the added addition of the toilet and conservatory which does not seem to have added value to an almost identical house (in terms of size, rooms, etc).

Thanks for your advice.

Fluff

p00hsticks

jenniferfluff29 wrote: »

Hi everyone

Hoping some people who have been through the process may advise. Looking for some advice on whether I should chance asking for a re-evaluation based on the following:

1. Detached house in Scotland.
2. All detached houses same as mine in the street are a band E.
3. Also identical house to mine in layout, size etc but they are semi's which are
all band D.

My basis for re-banding (briefly) is that my house valued for £185K in May this year.

I can't see that you mention what band your house is in, so it's difficult to advise. From what you say, if it's in band F or over (i.e. higher than other ones of the sanme type in your street) then you probably have a good chance, otherwise I don't think you'll get it changed.