what about water rates

aviva_2

I have been rebanded, but water company (UU) based on same criteria 1991 assessment refuse any adjustment/refund because apparently it is the law and they cannot change charges even though my nieghbours pay less than myself. Anyone had any success challenging them?

whatatwit

I may be wrong, but I thought that water rates values were based on the Rateable Value of the property from the days when we paid rates to the borough councils, which then became Poll Tax and then Council Tax.

aviva_2

can you please elaborate the difference between Rateable Value and Council Tax banding value, I cant remember how the system worked?

LittleVoice

As you know, with Council Tax, properties are put into Bands.
Before that, we had the Community Charge - which was for individuals rather than property and not concerned with the value of the housing.

Before that, we had "the Rates" paid to the local authority. Properties had a "rateable value". This was not the market value (which Council Tax Band was supposed to be) but did increase with the perceived value. Council Rates and Water Rates were then a multiple of this value. If water is not metered, then water rates are still based on a multiple of that rateable value.