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Posted By: Elizabeth Success getting council tax band changed? - 29th Jan 2014 6:36pm
Has anyone had any luck in getting their council tax reduced/band changed after submitting a dispute or whatever with WBC?
I put through a request to have it looked into around the end of October and have yet to hear an outcome or anything else about it for that matter. I know it's been received as I have a case number, but nothing since.
Just wondering therefore if anyone has gone down this route before and if so, an idea of how long I could expect before I get an answer?
Posted By: markjw Re: Success getting council tax band changed? - 29th Jan 2014 7:43pm
If you are wishing to change the band, the appeal is dealt with by the Valuation Office Agency rather than Wirral MBC.

However this right of appeal is only available in certain circumstances.

PM me if you need more info.
Posted By: Thetruth Re: Success getting council tax band changed? - 29th Jan 2014 8:30pm
Hi, I got my band dropped down by 1 level, although this was 15 years ago, it cam about by a house valuation, this did not natch the band valuation, I received a court date to appear and a day before received a letter informing me not to attend as it had been agreed. The process took about 3 months. Given the property price increase I think it would be difficult unless you have a charted surveyor valuation.
Posted By: Elizabeth Re: Success getting council tax band changed? - 29th Jan 2014 8:54pm
My reason for challenging the council tax band is because the neighbour's house to our left has a lower band. Their house is exactly the same type with a slightly bigger garden . The neighbour to the right has more bedrooms, a double garage and is a far bigger property, yet our band is the same as theirs.
The houses were built in 2000, and I just find it odd how they've calculated the tax bands.
I'll give them a ring tomorrow and see what they have to say about the case I've opened.
Posted By: Elizabeth Re: Success getting council tax band changed? - 29th Jan 2014 9:16pm
Another thing I have just researched, is that back in 2000 when they were originally sold (a cul-de-sac of 8 houses) Our house was actually 2nd to bottom in value at that time.
At the moment, we have tenants in there so it's not me who's paying the bill each month. However, I'd like to be able to pass on the discount if I get it, to the young family living there.
Posted By: Salmon Re: Success getting council tax band changed? - 29th Jan 2014 10:41pm
Of course it may lead to the others being re-banded upwards rather than you downwards.
Posted By: keving Re: Success getting council tax band changed? - 29th Jan 2014 10:56pm
Originally Posted by Salmon
Of course it may lead to the others being re-banded upwards rather than you downwards.


its virtually never happened. Or "extremely rare" from what I read.
Posted By: Elizabeth Re: Success getting council tax band changed? - 29th Jan 2014 11:04pm
Originally Posted by Salmon
Of course it may lead to the others being re-banded upwards rather than you downwards.


Hmmm, yes it may. However, if it did then at least it would be fair. On the other hand, I'd probably never be spoken to again by the neighbours.
Posted By: keving Re: Success getting council tax band changed? - 29th Jan 2014 11:08pm
Originally Posted by Elizabeth
Originally Posted by Salmon
Of course it may lead to the others being re-banded upwards rather than you downwards.


Hmmm, yes it may. However, if it did then at least it would be fair. On the other hand, I'd probably never be spoken to again by the neighbours.


http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/council-tax-bands-change
Posted By: stu6278 Re: Success getting council tax band changed? - 30th Jan 2014 4:37pm
Originally Posted by keving
Originally Posted by Salmon
Of course it may lead to the others being re-banded upwards rather than you downwards.


its virtually never happened. Or "extremely rare" from what I read.


Not so rare, it happened to me! I sent the VOA a letter back in 2010 pointing out that several identical houses in our street were in a lower band. After a couple of months, a reply came back thanking me for pointing out the discrepancy and raising the band of the houses I'd pointed out!

The reply indicated a note would be placed on the register, so presumably their Council Tax would go up a band when the house was next sold. The road shall remain nameless although we moved shortly afterwards. I doubt the neighbours would ever know who it was though.
I challenged my banding as the house next door is attached to our's as it is a semi. They were in a banding below ours. It took about six weeks and our banding was lowered to the property next doors banding - success. This was only last year.
Posted By: tankrat22 Re: Success getting council tax band changed? - 2nd Feb 2014 7:13pm
Hi Elizabeth,I queried my banding about 3 years ago,only 3 detached bungalows in the road,mine was a band higher than the others.Two months later it was dropped a band and I received a cheque for £1,800.00.,so as they say "Nothing ventured nothing gained", good luck.
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