Annexed by Council Charges

cheesed_2

Hi having read threads about council tax charges on annexes I wonder if anyone can help me.
In 1999 I acquired a mortgage to build an extension onto my parents existing property. It comprises a separate kitchen, living area, toilet/shower room, and three tiny bedrooms adjoining the existing staircase. There is only one front and back door. Having gone through Planning and BuildingRegs, my father informed local Council Tax office regarding extension and was told no action would be taken until the property was sold. He has continued to informOffice yearly.
However in November 2007 a Vaulation Officer visited and later we were informed that the extension would be classed as an annexe and liable to council tax banding separately- which, reading the Valuers notes, it most likely is. The main shock was a bill for charges from the year it was built amounting to almost £6000!. I am asking if this can be successfully appealed against, as we do not feel we have been at fault - someone from the Council should have acted before now. Hope to get some help - thanks !

jo_b_2

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL]

CIS

The council are not at fault in this - they have no say over property banding's or the date it is raised from. The council is only told by the Valuations Office as to the address and band of a property and asked to raised an account with those details.

Most councils will spread payments in cases like this but they are acting within the regulations for claiming the backdated council tax due, You need to contact them and discuss payment options.

Any questions over banding can only be dealt with by the Valuations Office . You can find details at www.voa.gov.uk