How To Appeal For Council Tax Rebanding?

By Author: Darren Smith
Total Articles: 7
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Council tax which was introduced in 1993 replacing the Community Charge, required every domestic property in the United Kingdom, to pay an amount of tax, regardless whether the property is owned or rented. The amount of tax payable depends on the council tax band under which each property is listed. There are eight different bands categorized alphabetically from A to H, on the basis of the total value of the properties. The properties with minimum price value are categorized under Band A whereas Band H lists the properties with maximum price value. The amount collected from the council tax is used to fund several public services in UK which include fire, libraries, schools, garbage systems, leisure centres, public transport, street cleaning etc. But due to flawed valuation it has been found out that there are many houses which fall under wrong council tax band, as a result, pay more tax than they should. Many property owners had claimed council tax rebanding and got their tax reduced. But, there are some five million homes which still lie under incorrect tax banding.
It is natural for the property owners to appeal for ...
... a review and seek for council tax rebanding. However, there are certain basic steps which the proprietors need to follow before challenging their property banding and seeking council tax refund on the extra payment they have been making. At first, it is necessary to compare the banding with the neighbour’s. If it is found that the neighbor’s house is listed in the lower banding against same property value, a proposal for council tax review can be made and council tax refund can be sought.
While finding the value of one’s property, it is necessary to calculate its worth as it was in 1991. Using the Nationwide House Price Calculator, the estimate of the house as in 1991, can be assessed. If the valuation check results in showing the properties being listed in higher band, council tax rebanding appeal can be made.
Since the Valuation Office Agency is responsible for ensuring whether a property is placed in the right council tax band, the appeal for council tax rebanding has to be made with the Valuation Office Agency. By visiting the Valuation Office Agency website, the proprietors need to cite the reasons for deeming their council tax banding as incorrect. The VOA considers reviewing the banding of a property if it thinks the proposal to be ‘valid’. VOA gets back with the reviewed details within a minimum of time of four months. If a proprietor’s appeal is rejected as ‘invalid’, he can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, an autonomous body, which is not related to VOA but hears and makes decisions about appeals related to council tax.
Since the entire process of appealing for a council tax re-banding is a daunting task, some independent council tax review companies have evolved. These firms have the experience as well as the legal expertise to deal with the government agencies and thus help the willing house owners in forwarding their council tax review claims to the VOA. These firms conduct an evaluation of the properties as well as the banding in the area, collect evidences of identical properties which are listed in the lower bands and submit a detailed report to the VOA. These autonomous companies have also shown instances of helping the parties obtain council tax refund on the overpayments made.