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Anyone got any experience in this?

Through conversation a peer suggested that i am paying too much council tax. So i put in a request to have my banding reevaluated. I received a letter today saying i do not meet the valid criteria to have my band reevaluated. Apparently you have to request this within 6 months of paying tax on the property. I've lived there for more than 6 months.

Its not something I've ever questioned, i just paid it. I'm going to appeal because near identical houses on my street are 2 bands lower and i'm on the same band as houses valued £150k more than mine.

Just wondering if anyone has been through the process?

Isn't it based on the house value and it was purchased at? So people down the road maybe paying less as they bought the house many years ago.

I deal with council tax in work. Any banding queries need to be directed to the Valuation Office. You can query your banding at anytime & it can go up or down (or more than likely stay the same) based on the outcome of the inspection conducted. Band reductions can be backdated aswell so definitely worth a query especially in your case if identical properties are 2 bands lower than your own. I've seen cases where thousands of pounds worth of credit have been created as a result of banding errors. Mistakes are rare but they do happen so definitely worth enquiring about. Bear in mind I live & work in Wales so my advice is based on legislation here. Not sure if this differs to England at all.

It's based on the value on what the value on 1st April 1991 would have been. Obviously this is difficult for ones built after this date, but I believe they would compare to similar properties for an estimate.

It's based on RV (rateable value) set in April 1991, or at least used to be I think. Same value your water rates are based on if you're on a fixed (rather than metered or AHC tariff).

Banding can be different depending on extensions and also if the occupants have a disabled resident which allows for a band discount. Obviously be careful that a request for a reassessment doesn't lead to a band increase for your neighbours and they find out who it was.

PM me if you have any problems - I used to work for the Valuation Office Agency in a previous (and much, much less enjoyable) incarnation
 ::)

Best action initially is to write to them and tell them why you think it is wrong & await their comments. Not possible to appeal after the specific time periods.

There is a form to fill in but certain criteria need to be met.

Thanks for the replies. I may be pm-ing a couple of you in the morning.

Yes, the tax band is based on what the property was worth in 1991. My house was built in 2007.

I have already filled out the firm and it's been rejected. I think I have good grounds to appeal so may call on some advice in the morning.

I put an appeal in and after much deliberation it turns out when my banding was reviews it was based on the plans of the estate and not the final built properly. My banding is based on a 4 bed 3 story house when in reality its only a 3 bed 2 story house. Its possible development plans were changed after the banding review had taken place.
Either way, its looks like i have a good chance of winning the appeal and having my banding lowered. With luck i might even get 3 years back pay.

NOICE

I have PM'd you a couple of times - I hope you are getting them as they do not show up in my outbox ?

Scilly, I've only received 1 pm from you and that's the one from today. So I haven't been ignoring you. Sorry.

Mine failed, will be appealing it.

UPDATE: My banding has been changed from E to D. Result. I was hoping it would go down to C but still 40/50 odd quid a month less to pay out and i will be pursuing SBC for 3 years back pay.

What process did you follow to appeal Chubbs, I'm going to after the initial one was rejected.

After i got the letter saying the appeal was rejected, the letter stated to contact the VOA to discuss further. I initially emailed them but they didn't get back to me so i rang them and that's when it turned out they has the wrong plans for my house.

Be prepared though. They will ask for evidence of why you think you're on the wrong band. Get examples of neighboring properties bands etc etc.

I found this site very helpfull.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/council-tax-bands-change#overpaying

Cheers pal

Looking at the VOA site it looks like they re-banded the whole street as my neighbors has changed and a couple of other I've noticed too. I hope none of them have been put in a higher band.

You may want to avoid celebrating to vocally in you street!

FYI 4D. If you're expecting a lump sum refund, prepare to be disappointing. That being said, my Council tax for the rest of the year will be ridiculously low. Swings and roundabouts i guess.

Not expecting a refund just hoping for a lower banding going forward. We shall see  :)