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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to not let the council man in bedroom?

49 replies

pregnantpause · 11/12/2012 16:19

hello,

tomorrow I have a councilman coming to inspect my house, apparently we may be in the wrong band for council tax. I asked what he needs to see and he said that he'll need to 'have a look around inside the house and carry out a full inspection'

I own my house and well, its not a show home and my method of tidying is usually make sure all house is tidy, except for my bedroom where all the crap from the rest of the house is stuffed to give the appearance of a clean and tidy home wibu to refuse to allow him into my bedroom? he's welcome to fully inspect the rest of the joint? wwyd?

OP posts:

xkcdfangirl · 11/12/2012 16:43

Sounds like a dodgy scam to me. Don't let him in.

exexpat · 11/12/2012 16:44

Ah - x-posted. Sounds v dodgy.

Maybe it's a good thing you were worried enough about the mess to check on MN.

wearingpurple · 11/12/2012 16:44

We got one of these a couple of weeks ago. It's a bunch of scammers offering to challenge your banding in court for you if you give them a heap of money.

Hobbitation · 11/12/2012 16:45

We had one of those letters from a company. Discussed it with DH then it went in the recycling.

caramelwaffle · 11/12/2012 16:45

Sounds like a scam to a premium number then they'll also chase you up to burgle your house.

quoteunquote · 11/12/2012 16:48

Please phone the council on their number, not the number on the letter, this sounds like a scam,

the council already know the size of your house, the planning department have your local area covered.

jumpingjackhash · 11/12/2012 16:50

This sounds so dodgy, there's no way I'd be letting them in! Even if it was legit, I'd be in two minds whether to let someone from the council snoop around my house for tax purposes.

Justforlaughs · 11/12/2012 16:50

Keep us updated!

Original poster

pregnantpause · 11/12/2012 16:57

spoke to council and benefits office, who said it would be valuations office and gave me the number- the same 03000 number I'be called. so it is legit.

I'm now considering not being here though (too cowardly to refuse entry direct) if I don't have to let him in, I could take dc to cinema instead

OP posts:

jumpingjackhash · 11/12/2012 17:02

The cinema sounds much more agreeable than a council valuations officer 'inspection'!

suburbophobe · 11/12/2012 17:04

So the letter wasn't on headed paper? There is no way I would be letting this person into my house.

MrsKeithRichards · 11/12/2012 18:29

We got upgrade thanks to someone round the corner challenging their band.

Apparently the bit at the back of my living room where I can fit a bookcase and a table and chairs is big enough to be classed as another room.

GlaikitFizzogTheChristmasElf · 11/12/2012 18:36

I didn't think they could raise the banding while you still live there, but when you move the next occupants would go up a band.

When we bought the house we are I. Now all the paperwork said we were ct band B, then when they sent us all the bills and stuff when we moved in we have been re-evaluated at band D! the extension the précis owners had put on raised out banding!

IneedAsockamnesty · 11/12/2012 18:40

They don't normally go inside the house.

Original poster

pregnantpause · 11/12/2012 18:41

oh no mrskeith, I was clinging to the hope that they can't change my band. why would anyone use others properties as evidence that theirs needs lowering? surely its obvious how that scenario will end! selfish grumps!

OP posts:

teenagersmother · 11/12/2012 18:46

Quite a few years ago we challenged the council tax band we were in and the valuations guy came and looked at the house. Yes, he did look in every room but very briefly and it was worth it as we were downgraded which meant a saving on what we were paying.

QODRestYeMerryGentlemen · 11/12/2012 18:50

When we moved in, I filled out the questionnaire thingy we all got, ummmmm census? Can't recall and dithered aut putting 3 or 4 bedrooms as we have 3 upstairs and 1 down (4th bed/study/second lounge)
Buggerity damn it they didn't know the 3rd bedroom upstairs existed so told us we may get rebanded one day. won't be admitting to the en suite we've added to large main bedroom since then either

peaceandlovebunny · 11/12/2012 20:23

don't let him in at all. those assessments are done from outside, often from an office with people drawing lines on maps.

lovelyladuree · 11/12/2012 21:13

I really worry for the next generation, seriously.

emsyj · 11/12/2012 21:32

Aren't there very limited circumstances in which they can re-assess your council tax band...?

We got a letter for reassessment when we bought our house and declined the visit as we were getting married and would be on honeymoon on the suggested date - then the next date we were abroad at another wedding. They gave up after that, and happily we are still in the low band!

I would tell them that date doesn't suit, and keep putting them off. And check whether they are entitled to reassess you too.

OwlBabies · 11/12/2012 22:10

Sadly, councils can re-band your property while you're living there. It happened to us in our last place - it had been extended (by previous owner) since the original banding decision, and we had an inspector come round to count and measure rooms. Went up a band, and we had to start paying the higher rate immediately. But back to the original question - the state of the rooms is neither here nor there, all they are interested in is the amount of space you have.

propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS · 11/12/2012 22:26

Don't let them in! You are under no obligation to. You don't even have to allow them in the back garden. Just shut your blinds and go out. They will the. Do their Ssessment from the street.

DoingitOnTheRoofTopWithSanta · 11/12/2012 22:28

make a wall of junk in the room so he can't measure properly :)

emsyj · 11/12/2012 22:32

The trigger for the attempt to re-assess our house was the change of ownership - the previous owners had done a loft conversion and for some reason they couldn't re-assess then, but had to wait til there was a sale?? So OP the conclusion seems to be, don't let them in!

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