Council Tax Cost Cutting: reduce your band and grab any discounts Discussion Area

Hi exvoperson,

Just wanted to let you know that we have been allowed to file a relevant valid appeal off the back of a tribunal for three bed houses for two bed houses. They are on the same estate, and were built at the same time. When thinking in terms of relevance (under the current rules, as opposed to once you've pushed the envelope) it strikes me as useful to think of all close relationships, whether it is a similar build period, similar size, number of bedrooms, same developer or whatever.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

My wifes mother died in April 2001 and it's only now that the council have decided to bill us for her still empty property, the period then to now which comes to a stupid figure, the pair of us haven't got ! My feeling is that this has to be unlawful in some way, like there might be a statute of limitations so they can only go back so far, appreciate anyones advice on that ?

Regards

Andrew

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quote=admsroy;8466215]:mad: I first appealed against my Banding in January 2007 and since then at least 30 letters have been sent and received. I appealed several times , went to Tribunal--rejected, then my MP sent it to the Ombudsman--rejected, but I gave proof of maladministration of the LO and it is now back with the Ombudsman. Even though I gave Visual(Aerial) evidence and proof of my bungalow's low market value, I am having this hassle because the LO refuses to give me a personal visit which had been offered to my neighbour who was granted a reduction. I have continued to pay my Council Tax, but unless I get a personal visit, I will be paying a lower banding rate from April as a protest. I am 74 yrs old, but as I was involved with Rating valuation in the 1950's, I know that my Banding is wrong. I will not give up the fight.
Roy:mad:[/quote] After 18 months non-stop trying, I have finally had my Banding reduced. This was finally achieved after I demanded that a VOA officer grant me a Personal visit. I think this must be some sort of record for perseverance and bloody-mindedness and I urge anyone who has good grounds for a reduction, to keep trying until you wear them down.

admsroy wrote: »

After 18 months non-stop trying, I have finally had my Banding reduced. This was finally achieved after I demanded that a VOA officer grant me a Personal visit. I think this must be some sort of record for perseverance and bloody-mindedness and I urge anyone who has good grounds for a reduction, to keep trying until you wear them down.

I would now consider making a formal complaint and possibly a claim for compensation for your time and for the upset this has caused.

I cannot conceive why it would take 30 letters before someone even bothers to come to look at your property. Especially since your arguments have now been vindicated.

Given the number of letters, I imagine your case has already been dealt with by the most senior people in the local office. Your experience suggests they are arrogant, incompetent, or both. Personally I wouldn't want them dealing with any subsequent complaint. I'd suggest writing to the Chief Executive's Office in London.

You may also be able to claim interest, either back to 1993 or at least until when the error was brought to the LO's attention.

Good luck

vivatifosi wrote: »

Can one of the regulars remind me, is it the VOA or council you go after for interest? I seem to remember that while the council refund the overpayments, the VOA refunds the interest. Is that correct?

This is correct There's no statutory provision to pay interest, but if you can prove that the VOA should have known to reduce your band earlier, i.e. that they were in effect, negligent, you can claim interest via the complaints procedure.

I think the most obvious example is where a neighbour's band has been reduced on appeal but other identical properties have incorrectly been left the same.

That's my understanding of it anyway, but I may be wrong. Its definitely the VOA, not the council though.