Council tax bands

[Mintchocchipicecream]

Has anyone every challenged a council tax band and won? I like a house (to buy) but it was a new build in 2002 and the value has dropped significantly for all that have been sold on on the estate. Around 1/4 of the original sales price. So the council tax bands are higher than other properties of similar sizes nearby (but not the same styles as they are older). Similar sized properties of older styles have increased in value in the same time period.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/council-tax-bands-change/ doesnt matter what it was worth in 2002 or now. You have to work out what it would have been worth in 1991

I have done that just recently and won. I had been in the house longer than the 6 months that you should be in it to challenge the banding (this is a rule in Scotland not sure if it applies in other countries), so they took 2 years to actually come out to look at my house
They looked around for about 5 mins, took some notes and said they would be in touch. Called me a few days later and said they were reducing the band and I would get a rebate for my overpayment.

I’ve seen the money saving expert info but wanted to know if anyone had tried it with a new build losing loads of value. House originally sold for £450k in 2007. Now on for £350k. Council tax band is based on the £450k back valued to 1991 but the value would be a lot lower based on the new value of £300-350k.

What have the neighbouring properties sold for and have you put those through the calculator for the 2001 price? (I used to work in Council Tax)

What was the new build price back in 2002?

A neighbour challenged the council tax bands where we live a few years back, our homes were built late eighties, our home is band E, still band E. I don’t think it is based on value, more about size, number of bathrooms etc.

I am going to stick my neck out and tell you that the standard valuations from when I worked in council tax was (and it still applies to the new estate I moved to)

B 2 bed semi/terraced
C 3 bed semi/terraced
D 3 bed detached
E 4 bed detached
F 4 bed "executive" or 5 bed

Does that fit for yours?

We're band d but 3 bed semi, I feel ripped off now!

It’s a 4 bed semi coming up as F. It’s higher than older properties that have continued to be valued (ie selling more highly). None of this exact house type have managed to be sold on since first build (but they have been listed for sale). Some smaller ones on the estate have sold sold on with similar 1/4 loss from the original sales price.

Value in 2002 was £450k. My 2007 above was a typo. 2002 from my OP is correct.

In summary, it’s a house with a lower value than older homes very close by. The older ones have retained their value in line with market increases. The newer houses have not at all and are selling (or not even selling) for 1/4 less than the original sales price. They’ve been massively overvalued at the point of sale so also overvalued for council tax? If I buy the house then I’ll be paying council tax of several bands higher compared to very close by older properties of higher value.

Okay so this applies to Lionel and mint as we now have google maps, from the comfort of your own home you can check similar houses against the VOA (Vaulation Office) website and see what other similar properties are compared to yours. Plus RightMove sold properties shows you prices and often a link to the sale to see the condition the house was in when sold.

The reason I said new build estates is because they are usually smaller houses than a 70s build house and they are all very similar in layout/style making it relatively easy to band. However this isn't set in stone.

An extension rebands a property when it is sold, anyone who has had building works (myself included) will either have a rebanding marker on the VOA website like mine or if sold will have been rebanded. I know a 3 bed detached house which is currently a D band has had a 2 storey side and rear extension that will push it to an F band as it is now a 5 bed house and has just sold.

The best bet is to find like for like properties and their banding to support changing yours. Especially one built around the same time. At the end of the day I don't think you have anything to lose unless you push other people's bands up.

Sorry, an extension may reband a property. But rebandings for that only happen once it is sold, not when the extension is done.