Council Tax

[tiglet]

I've just been reading an article about a man who has claimed £2,600 back from the council because his house had been placed in the wrong tax band - apparently, very few houses were actually surveyed in 1991 and estate agents working for the ocuncil just guessed.

 

When I bought my house, it was fairly decrepit and needed lots of work doing to it, unlike most of the houses around here, and I was wondering whether anyone had looked into this previously, and if so, had any advice?

 

God this websites great - I'm try to get back money from everyone now!

[buzby]

Not every house is surveyed, only a representative number of house types but dilapidation means nothing in assessing the charge as it is based on a 'typical' house of similar size, bedrooms and garden. You can check online or view the valuation roll to see what Band similar houses in the same street are, and this will give you a good indication as to what band you should be in!

[dax]

Was it Martins Money Saving site? heres the link:Council Tax Cashback: Get £1000s rebated by forcing a rebanding | MoneySavingExpert: Consumer Revenge, Credit Cards, Shopping, Bank Charges, Cheap Flights and more, there was a programme on tonight but I missed it...ITV1's Tonight Friday 26 Jan, 8pm on this Council Tax Cashback system..perhaps anyone who watched could enlighten us further.

[Bookworm]

Was it Martins Money Saving site? heres the link:Council Tax Cashback: Get £1000s rebated by forcing a rebanding | MoneySavingExpert: Consumer Revenge, Credit Cards, Shopping, Bank Charges, Cheap Flights and more, there was a programme on tonight but I missed it...ITV1's Tonight Friday 26 Jan, 8pm on this Council Tax Cashback system..perhaps anyone who watched could enlighten us further.

 

Not unless they're Crusher and his time machine, methinks!!!

[tiglet]

Damn - have gone through all of that and it looks like I'm in the right band afterall - nevermind!

[Stillborn Crisps]

This is very exciting. I live in a terraced street of identical houses and 1 neighbour out of the 5 I've checked so far is in a band lower. The question is should I challenge it?

[dax]

You know every thursday, I think its friday Bookworm, but the good news is, I can watch it now...

[Stillborn Crisps]

I'm also wondering if this applies to houses previously lived at? And if so how far back can you claim?

[Bookworm]

Very good question, and one that occurred to me too...

 

I had a quick (relatively speaking) browse this morning, and it looks as I have been paying band D council tax for the last nearly 11 yrs since we bought our house, when from what I could see before the VOA site died on me, most of the houses are band C and according to the calculations, I should be band C... Ooooh....

Now because I am end of terrace and 4 beds instead of mid and 3, would that justify being one whole band higher? This is what I need to find out... More research beckons... With the 27.3% increase we had a couple of years ago, and no improvement whatsoever in the services, far from it, I would absolutely looove to go after Croydon Council....

 

I wonder if SOLA 1980 would apply? eg 6 yrs limit? Then again, would council tax come under contract law? Oh, so many questions...

[miss_CORErupted]

I just watched the programme with Martin Lewis on channel 3!!

Makes me wonder as i'm in a 2 bed terrace band b

but the bloke over the road has semi 3 bed and garage in band A

 

makes me wonder hmmmm

[miss_CORErupted]

Was it Martins Money Saving site? heres the link:Council Tax Cashback: Get £1000s rebated by forcing a rebanding | MoneySavingExpert: Consumer Revenge, Credit Cards, Shopping, Bank Charges, Cheap Flights and more, there was a programme on tonight but I missed it...ITV1's Tonight Friday 26 Jan, 8pm on this Council Tax Cashback system..perhaps anyone who watched could enlighten us further.

 

 

Just finished watching actually. he showed how the origianl valutions were arrived at

 

the estate agent were given 300 houses a week to look at in addition to their normal work, weren't allowed to enter the houses so just drove down the streets going d, d, e, d, etc etc!!!!

 

he then just showed ppl what to do to check their band and other ppls, value of house and stuff and refered to his website with the link above u should b able to do it

[miss_CORErupted]

I wonder if SOLA 1980 would apply? eg 6 yrs limit? Then again, would council tax come under contract law? Oh, so many questions...

 

The council was paying back to april 1993 so much futhur back than 6yrs

[Bookworm]

Yeah, but some councils will fight back harder than others, trust me on this... And if my local authority can try to save themselves money by trying it, they will, I guarantee you...

[ncf355]

Hi BW,

 

thing is, the actual council wont get a say, if the valuation officer says its a valid re band then they have to go along with that.

 

Or thats what I'm hoping cos' I reckon I'm owed about £1.5k (minimum!) by North Somerset Council, the gits.

 

[miss_CORErupted]

i think the valution website my be having slighter higher activity than nornal hahaha

cause i can't get on it i think it's crashed

[marcelle]

This is very exciting. I live in a terraced street of identical houses and 1 neighbour out of the 5 I've checked so far is in a band lower. The question is should I challenge it?

 

 

I'm in a similar position. I live in a large Victorian House that's been split into 4 flats and have found out that we are all in the same band except for one flat, who is in a lower band. It looks like the owner challenged the original band back in the early 90's and won, which is great! I moved 5 months ago so still within my 6 months of complaining.

 

I have decided to challenge this. As back-up evidence, I've send the VOA property ad's for similar properties in my area as well as letting them know that one flat in the house is on a lower band and this flat is actually smaller than my flat. I await to hear their response.

 

Also, I'm looking into back-dating on a former property (tiny studio with just a shower - no bath) I lived in for 3 years. I was actually paying band c rates but judging from old records for property prices in or near my road, I reckon I should have been in band a. I will be challenging this too.

 

The thing is is that you need to be armoured before you state your claim. Send them as much info. and documents on why you should be banded differently. Good luck!

[marcelle]

I'm in a similar position. I live in a large Victorian House that's been split into 4 flats and have found out that we are all in the same band except for one flat, who is in a lower band. It looks like the owner challenged the original band back in the early 90's and won, which is great! I moved 5 months ago so still within my 6 months of complaining.

 

I have decided to challenge this. As back-up evidence, I've send the VOA property ad's for similar properties in my area as well as letting them know that one flat in the house is on a lower band and this flat is actually smaller than my flat. I await to hear their response.

 

Also, I'm looking into back-dating on a former property (tiny studio with just a shower - no bath) I lived in for 3 years. I was actually paying band c rates but judging from old records for property prices in or near my road, I reckon I should have been in band a. I will be challenging this too.

 

The thing is is that you need to be armoured before you state your claim. Send them as much info. and documents on why you should be banded differently. Good luck!

 

 

Just found out in order to claim from a former property, I would have to approach the new occupiers to challenge the band then if they win, then I can get a rebate too.

[Stillborn Crisps]

Well I've just taken the plunge and phoned them for an investigation. Just hope it don't backfire!

 

3 houses out of the 30 on my side of the street are in Band B, whereas mine and all the others are in Band C. The 3 that are B are identical (if not actually bigger with extensions) to mine. Some houses have an extra bedroom but you wouldn't be able to tell from the outside.

 

They said it would take up to 6 weeks to investigate. Not sure if this is like a proper reassesment or jus tthem working out why there's discrepencies between identical houses.

[midge61]

I saw this at the beginning of Jan and checked mine.

All of our street except 3 houses are Band B

1 house with very large extension is band D

1 4 bed with integral garage is Band C

and us a 3 bed end of terrace with small extention (all other houses have larger extention) is Band C

 

Ours was changed in 1993 I assume due to a sale but I lodged an appeal.

Spoke to the local VOA office aaand although we have been here 6 years they say they will consider it and give me their decision in 28 days (which is up next week). The lady I spoke to said if they agree I will be re-banded and refunded but if they don't agree then I cannot take it to tribunal as I am outside of the 6month time limit.

 

So I am just waiting to here from them.

[marcelle]

I saw this at the beginning of Jan and checked mine.

All of our street except 3 houses are Band B

1 house with very large extension is band D

1 4 bed with integral garage is Band C

and us a 3 bed end of terrace with small extention (all other houses have larger extention) is Band C

 

Ours was changed in 1993 I assume due to a sale but I lodged an appeal.

Spoke to the local VOA office aaand although we have been here 6 years they say they will consider it and give me their decision in 28 days (which is up next week). The lady I spoke to said if they agree I will be re-banded and refunded but if they don't agree then I cannot take it to tribunal as I am outside of the 6month time limit.

 

So I am just waiting to here from them.

 

On Martin's website, many peole have challenged the VOA's decision. despite being outside the 6 month limit There was even a man who got a rejection on THREE separate occasions then in the end they reduced his band. He kept challenging every rejection and they probably got fed up!!!! Mind you, he did provide great a watertight case as to the reason why he felt he should be downgraded.

Good luck!

[westwell]

I just wondered if anyone knew where I stand with querying incorrect council tax banding on a house I rent out?

 

I lived in the property for 5 years and since then I have rented it out. I believe the banding has been incorrect the whole time so I should be inline to recieve some money back but I don't know if I can query it because although I am the owner I no longer pay the council tax bills

 

Help please?

[martinhw]

I just wondered if anyone knew where I stand with querying incorrect council tax banding on a house I rent out?

 

I lived in the property for 5 years and since then I have rented it out. I believe the banding has been incorrect the whole time so I should be inline to recieve some money back but I don't know if I can query it because although I am the owner I no longer pay the council tax bills

 

Help please?

 

We have never met our landlord, as we rent through an agency. If however we are renting YOUR place, we can share the rebate if you buy the beers for the barbie in the summer

 

EDIT: Just realised our house was only build 3 years ago.... sorry it's not us then, but you can still buy the beers!

[marcelle]

So are you saying you lived there for 5 years but no longer live there so the council payments are in someone else's name?

 

Well whoever is paying the council payments on your property will have to query the banding with the VOA and if successful then not only will the present council tax payer get a rebate and reduced monthly bill but you will also be able to claim back on the money you paid in whilst you were living there too.

Good luck!

[westwell]

Hi Marcelle

 

Thanks for the message, I lived in the proprty for 5 years but I currently rent it out to someone else but I am still the owner so can I not query the banding? or does it have to be the tenant?

 

Cheers

[westwell]

Martinhw I would buy the beers if you can get me five years of overpaid council tax back?