Council Tax Band the same as more expensive houses?

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mrb1972
mrb1972 Posts: 25 Forumite
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edited 29 April 2019 at 11:31AM in Reclaim mortgage fees, council tax, etc
So just about the purchase a house and checking council tax bands, and it turns out some houses around us which are nearly twice as big and twice as much are in the same band.

I have checked and I seem to be in the "correct" band but it seems unfair to me that we have to pay the same as much bigger and more expensive properties.. is this the norm, doesn't seem right to me?

Thanks

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  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    Higher bands cover a wide range of values so there can be a sizeable difference between top and bottom of the range.

    There's also the added complexity that an extended property is no revalued until ownership is transferred so you could extend a small house to Buckingham Palace and still be a Band A.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • mrb1972
    mrb1972 Posts: 25 Forumite
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    Thanks for the reply, these are house were new builds are few years ago, no extensions or anything like that, just much bigger and more expensive but same band.
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    mrb1972 wrote: »
    Thanks for the reply, these are house were new builds are few years ago, no extensions or anything like that, just much bigger and more expensive but same band.


    Which band ?
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • mrb1972
    mrb1972 Posts: 25 Forumite
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    They are all band G
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    Problem with Band G is that it has a range of £160,001 to £320,000 so there's a lot of scope for variation in size.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • mrb1972
    mrb1972 Posts: 25 Forumite
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    Yes, I have noticed that - still seems a bit unfair though, I guess it is what it is
  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 116,371 Forumite
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    They are all band G

    Band G has a wider band as you are including properties that are small holdings and may be more expensive due to their outbuildings and land rather than the property itself. Band H is to capture the top end.

    A tighter band and increased number of bands would hit rural properties harder. Despite there generally being less wealth in rural areas.
    still seems a bit unfair though

    How else can it be done though?
    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 31,855 Forumite
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    They did try a tax on people that use the services but that was thought unfair as well.
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 17,643 Forumite
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    dunstonh wrote: »
    Band G has a wider band as you are including properties that are small holdings and may be more expensive due to their outbuildings and land rather than the property itself. Band H is to capture the top end.

    The value of agricultural land and outbuildings is not reflected in the CT band of a dwelling.
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 17,643 Forumite
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    mrb1972 wrote: »

    I have checked and I seem to be in the "correct" band but it seems unfair to me that we have to pay the same as much bigger and more expensive properties.. is this the norm, doesn't seem right to me?

    Thanks

    As there are only 8 CT bands and 23 million dwellings in England, there are going to be many different types of dwelling in each band, some obviously being at the bottom and some at the top
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
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