Council tax bands

[Worriedmum40284]

We've received a letter from our council to say they are looking into whether our current council tax band is still correct.

We purchased the house in 2026 after it had been fairly substantially renovated and extended by the previous owner.

I'd read about council tax improvement indicators but think I may have misunderstood how it works (I thought the band could only change after we theoretically sell the house). At the time of the purchase, it said there was no improvement indicator on the house and that remains the same today. But I know think the bit about it only applying once a house is sold, applies to when the house was sold to us (if that makes any sense?!)

On the Gov.UK website, it looks as though our band was changed 2 weeks ago (to a higher band).

Does that mean they've completed their investigation (prior to us receiving the letter) and we will now pay more? Or does that only apply once the property has sold, if we did go on to sell?

Thanks in advance to anyone who understands it more than me!

As I understand it , the extended house will remain in the same band until after it has been sold. If the previous owner did all the work then yes, you might be caught out with it going up a band.

I think this is an awful practice and it should be re-assessed before it is sold. Some peoples finances rely on a house being cheap to run, which includes council tax.

Thank you - yes, the previous owner did do all the work. I thought I'd read any chance in banding wouldn't apply to us if it happened after the sale went through but I can't seem to find that now.

Seems like it may well increase for us unfortunately.

You can appeal the decision though. If you have evidence that it’s unfair, in relation to other properties in the area.

Yes, we extended a house which went up two bands after we sold it. I felt bad for our buyers at the time as - whilst I was expecting an increase (and I'm sure they were too) - I only expected it to go up a single band.

Commiserations, OP. Did you only find out when you applied for change of owner for your new property with the Council Tax team?

Thanks all. I don't think the decision is particular unfair if I'm honest so probably wouldn't appeal. The house is now bigger than some others on the street so we probably should pay more.

@Mum5net- no, we made the council aware of our move back in 2024 in relation to council tax. We've only found out via a letter received this week to say they were looking into whether the banding is correct. But it does seem to have already increased when you look online.

I guess we'll hear again to confirm that this is the case and our bill will increase?

Yes it seems unfair that you are liable if you didn’t do the work