Council Tax rebranding rejected - next steps advice needed.

martynandjassy

Having perused this site, it appeared fairly cut and dried to me that my parents were one band too high with regards to Council Tax.

Having lodged a request for a review, the decision has been upheld and they remain in band D - properties valued £68,000 - £88,000 in April 1991. However, they bought the house in 1988 for a mere £42,000 and although prices rose, the value was nowhere near £68,000 at the time.

However, they have been told that there is no right of appeal. Can any next steps be taken?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

HarryO_2

Hi Marty & Jassy, My advice is keep on trying. My friend has a small semi and is also in band "D" they bought there house in 1972. In 1991 they had it valued by 3 seperate estate agents who valued it at £65000 to £66000. It has 2 medium bedrooms & a box room & a tiny front & back garden. Most of the other house's have huge gardens by comparison & 3 or 4 bedrooms. My friend tried to get hers tax reduced but was turned down flat. No appeal. most of the other house's are in band "C" SO
Not to be outdone, we went in person to the council offices & demanded to see someone in authority. When they looked at the plans they agreed on size alone to reconsider. We now await the outcome. So reapply.
HarryO

vivatifosi

I agree with Harry, don't give up. Where I live we have been chipping away at the council tax issue for years. Having told several people that they couldn't have a rebanding and even going to extraordinary lengths to stop it, the VOA have now rolled over and following two successful tribunals we have now won five separate cases.

The one thing I will say though, is that although you do on the surface appear to have a strong case, if your family bought under a right to buy, and received a discount, it is the market value that should be taken into account, not the discounted price.

Go back with evidence. Ask them on what basis they have refused. Generally make a nuisance of yourself (without breaking the law of course). Hopefully you'll get there eventually.