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

black-saturn

So if mine is a band A I am presuming this is the lowest?

november

Nikki wrote:

B is lower than C.

Thanks. I guess that house has been altered as well then

gravitytolls

Maisie wrote:

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Yes I am in the same situation. House along the road with a big extension same band as ours.

Either the Valuation ofice don't know about it or haven't caught up with extension.
I did read further on that site that if the house is sold after the extension the band would be revised.

This one has been sold but rating band not changed.

We too have an extension, taking our house from 3 TO 5 bed house. I believe extended houses are exempt (currently) from band rises because the assumption is that families extend because they can't afford to buy a bigger house. Though I believe the current system is going to be reviewed. Which frankly will be a bummer, as we only extended because we have 7 children, and my grandad left me some money in his will, which we invested in our home, for the benefit of all the family.

We already struggle to meet all our bills, and a rise in council tax will see us chasing our tails just a little bit harder.

Murray

The following text is taken from the VOA website:

Important note:
The banding of a dwelling which has had improvements which increase its value cannot be re banded until it is next sold. If you are considering buying a property which has been extended since 1993, you should be aware that the council tax band can be increased after the sale has taken place.

So you should be ok. Also the planned re-valuation seems to have been postponed untill 2007 or after (unless you're in Wales). The following quote is from the Office of the Deputy Prime Ministers website:

What about 'council tax revaluation'?
In the light of the extended remit of the Lyons Inquiry the Government has decided to postpone council tax revaluation in England. Decisions about the timing of revaluation will be taken after the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007. But the Government does not believe that revaluation will occur during this Parliament. The postponement of council tax revaluation in England has no implications for the council tax revaluation in Wales which came into effect in April 2005.

I hope that gives you peace of mind for a few years!

bootman

bootman wrote:

I have just looked at the other 4 houses where I live they are all banded G like me.

I am only a 3 bed house and all the others are 5!!!!!

If I come out the same as them after review I think i will apeal

Well I have finally decided to see if I can appeal. I called the local office a spoke to a chap that sounded like Victor Meldrew.

I explained my house was built in 94 and 4 of the other houses were same band but much bigger. The problem is band G is so wide from 160k up to I think 350k. :eek:

My house then was bought for 162k when first built.The people who bought it loved it and paid full price for it. One of the other houses a 5 bedroomed one paid only 180k from new and theirs is huge. All sold at the same time.

Victor Meldrew said that even though in 94 house prices were on the decline they base their value on prices in 1991,house prices were higher then. How ridiculous is that!! :mad:

Anyway, they will send someone out in a couple of months he said to measure up and make a decision. Nothing ventured nothing gained. At leasr I know I cannot go up a band!! :rotfl:

Maisie

Go for it bootman! Sounds if you have a fair chance. Good luck.

indiegirl_2

I've just had an extremely snotty letter telling me that my request for revaluation is 'invalid', with a letter enclosed telling me why my request is invalid... the long and short is that I haven't appealed within a certain timescale.

However, in the same letter, I have been told that I can apply for a revaluation of my property, and a couple of forms were enclosed for me to fill in.

The irony of which is that one of the forms I was sent has "you can appeal online" stamped at the top... which is exactly what I did!

As I'm about to move, it's possible that it's pointless me chasing this up, but I feel I should be entitled to a rebate of my council tax from the last year that I've lived in my property.

The fight goes on

asandwhen

Just wanted to add my thanks to maisie (and north herts council) - Have now had my rebait (helped over xmas) 200 smackers to add to my piggy!!

*Louise*

Aw...the site doesn't cover Scotland

*Louise*

Link for other Scottish folk:

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