Council Tax. Are You Paying More Than Your Neighbours? Check It Out

bonio_2

I have received a letter fro the VOA saying the effective date for the revaluation is 1993 -going down from D to C.
Before I get carried away what is this 6 month rule... is it the council's way of trying to get out of it? Has anyone been denied backpayment on the VOA judgement on these grounds? does one have to appeal as a matter of course?

Also, I only moved here in 1999 what happens to the previous 6 years overpayments? grateful for any comments from first hand experience.

littlejaffa

bonio wrote:

I have received a letter fro the VOA saying the effective date for the revaluation is 1993 -going down from D to C.
Before I get carried away what is this 6 month rule... is it the council's way of trying to get out of it? Has anyone been denied backpayment on the VOA judgement on these grounds? does one have to appeal as a matter of course?

Also, I only moved here in 1999 what happens to the previous 6 years overpayments? grateful for any comments from first hand experience.

very similar to my situation, i've been given a figure that i'll be refunded that is from the date i moved in. the 6month rule says you can't dispute the banding after 6months, but as you can dispute the rule that says you can't dispute it, it's really just there to put people off.
i thought about the people who stay'd in our house before us to, but i doubt the council will get in contact with them and i've no way to now.

halloweenqueen_2

I've written to them and they are doing something as they've sent me a letter saying who it is being dealt with and that they will contact me shortly. I got sent a letter saying I had four weeks to appeal the original six month letter, less than three weeks later I had been very busy - annoying I know not to have replied quicker - to say I hadn't replied in the four weeks. Luckily I could tell them the exact date I got the letter as it was the day before my birthday.
I give it a couple of weeks then ring them, they have been exceptionally nice on the phone, but if they say no they are not altering it, surely as I'm in the middle of two lower band properties with almost identical buildings/gardens, i could take it further. How was I supposed to know I was paying more than my neighbours?

ohsod1t

I applied to be reassessed after reading about it on here. I've just recieved a letter saying B down to A. I've now left the rented flat, but after seven years it should be worth a few bob....Thanks

halloweenqueen_2

I've had a phone call this afternoon, they have reviewed it and are knocking me down a band as of today.:T I suppose they didn't visit as I have neighbours either side on lower band. The council will have to work out what i've overpaid- they are supposed to go back to 1993 but I haven;t lived in it quite that long. In four to six weeks I should get a rebate!! - do I get interest!!??!!
Will be getting an official letter in the post next week - over the moon!:j

Maisie

Well done Halloweenqueen. Perseverance pays off.

Don't take 'No' for an answer with the voa.

Glad my original post helped.

Maisie

Bargainetta

I haven't used this site a great deal so I may be doing this wrong. However I would like to thank Maisie. I live in a group of 12 ex-council flats. Five of us were Band b and seven were Band c even though the floor plans were exactly the same. I used the links you provided and we are all on Band b now. Two of my neighbours have already received refunds of over £300 so I am quite popular thanks to you!

Maisie

Thanks for the 'thanks' bargainetta. Glad my OP helped.

Spread the word about checking your council tax band. Why should anyone pay more than necessary.

Maisie

Glad4444

Thank you lots!!!!! - I have just been advised by VOH that my house has been rebanded (down from D to C) and I will get a refund back to 1993 as it was incorrectly assessed at time. I didnt even know I was paying more than neighbours until I read this item and checked my band.

Maisie

Glad4444 wrote:

Thank you lots!!!!! - I have just been advised by VOH that my house has been rebanded (down from D to C) and I will get a refund back to 1993 as it was incorrectly assessed at time. I didnt even know I was paying more than neighbours until I read this item and checked my band.

Well done Glad4444. Nice that the original post helped you get a refund and and lower banding.

Tell everyone you know about checking their house banding.

Maisie OP