How far back can you claim?

ditsydoris_2

My mother lived in a house in N. London from when council tax came in until 2005 and then moved. We always felt she had paid too much council tax especially when a bigger house up the same road was in a smaller tax band ( although the house in question was eventually moved up a band ) Can she still try and claim seeing as she has moved house? How do you go about doing this? Or does she have no claim?

takoo

Hi Ditsydoris

Points to consider:

• I think that as a general rule claims for anything can go back six years. So if your mum is entitled to claim it could be 2008 - 6 =2002 or at best 2005-6 = 1999.
• You mother had left the property so she may no longer be entitled to claim.
• However, why do you think she paid too much? If like houses were of the same CT band and none of their occupiers established a lower banding why should your mum expect to claim
• The example you cited suppports the status quo for your mum's dwelling - it went up a band - ie there case for a lower band is weakened.
• I presume that any entitlement to single person discount was given. (ie if she lived alone she paid 25% less CT).

Having said that she might make enquiries for making a claim. Check with the CAB or Age Concern - they might help.

Good luck

Takoo

GARDINER

Ask a solicitor about the Limitation Act - there are circmstances when the 6 year limit doesn't apply.

CIS

Council Tax re-valuations can go back right back to 1993 if the VO decide the property was incorrectly banded from the beginning .

You can't claim for a property you don't live in - the current occupants would need to claim. If the property was re-banded and lowered then you mother would be entitled to any overpaid Council Tax for the period she occupied the property.