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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

ProseccoOnTap · 13/07/2023 09:07

Violins out for those in 4-bed detached houses & complaining- check your privilege!!

ditalini · 13/07/2023 09:34

ProseccoOnTap · 13/07/2023 09:07

Violins out for those in 4-bed detached houses & complaining- check your privilege!!

Any tiny violin for those of us in small 3 bed flats with no gas supply or garden òr storage sitting at band E while the enormous tenement flats down the road are a band lower despite selling for £100k more?

I don't actually need nor want such an instrument tbh, but I'm confused by the govt's take on this when they'be been chuntering on about revaluation and/or local income tax solutions for years.

ProseccoOnTap · 13/07/2023 09:50

I'm in exactly the same situation @ditalini - am in a 3-bed flat & had to get gas piped in. Also on band E.

Anyone who has a 4-bed detached house is welcome to swap with me!

GenieGenealogy · 13/07/2023 12:44

Afishcalledwand · 28/06/2023 12:34

We live in a house in the top band but I support higher taxes for those that live in big houses. If you don’t want to pay the tax you have the option to move. It’s an east way to ensure those with assets pay more tax, as opposed to just raiding income tax which taxes people’s income rather than their wealth.

Well, they have to find the cash to replace what they've pissed up the wall on ferries and Sturgeon's jaunt to the COP thing in Egypt somehow.

I don't think many people would grudge paying a little bit more (not 22% more) if they felt they would see a 22% increase in the quality of public services as a consequence. I have zero faith in the councils or Scot Gov to deliver that.

Scottishskifun · 13/07/2023 16:34

ProseccoOnTap · 13/07/2023 09:07

Violins out for those in 4-bed detached houses & complaining- check your privilege!!

Just shows your ignorance with different areas and the dodgy job which was originally done! Our 2 bed semi detached was originally an E, our next door neighbours (the attaching property!!!) 3 bed was originally a B!

ProseccoOnTap · 13/07/2023 16:41

I'm certainly not the ignorant @Scottishskifun.

I just can't find sympathy for anyone who can afford a 4-bedroom detached house who is complaining about an increase.

Of course the original system has flaws & requires updated,

But those who own more expensive, larger homes should pay more.

Pleasebeafleabite · 13/07/2023 16:43

ProseccoOnTap · 13/07/2023 09:07

Violins out for those in 4-bed detached houses & complaining- check your privilege!!

Ah bless you. You found a new buzz phrase. Or is it two?

NatashaDancing · 13/07/2023 19:21

ProseccoOnTap · 13/07/2023 09:07

Violins out for those in 4-bed detached houses & complaining- check your privilege!!

I'm in a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom flat at band F.

ThreeTrebles · 13/07/2023 19:26

ProseccoOnTap · 13/07/2023 16:41

I'm certainly not the ignorant @Scottishskifun.

I just can't find sympathy for anyone who can afford a 4-bedroom detached house who is complaining about an increase.

Of course the original system has flaws & requires updated,

But those who own more expensive, larger homes should pay more.

It's not just home owners who pay council tax, of course. I rent a small flat in band E with no prospect of being able to buy a property in my lifetime.

Catsolitude · 13/07/2023 19:27

Ah yes. The audacity to work hard in a profession/ vocation that is valued by society, sacrifice years to studying and bettering yourself- and end up paying more tax than someone doing the same job 100 miles away- to buy a 4 bedroom house! I’m a millionaire!

Lifesapurpledream · 13/07/2023 19:54

We live in new builds in a town and have all been slapped with a ridiculous banding in comparison to the far more expensive older properties. On top of that we also pay a factor fee for the estate and little park when the rest is maintained by the council. I don’t see how they can go through with this without a complete reassessment of the housing stock - 1993 assessment is no longer fit for purpose.

TheSproutOfWrath · 13/07/2023 20:04

I rent a tiny 2 bed, no gas and own septic tank. We are in Band E.

I moved from a 9 roomed farm house which was Band D, 200 yards down the track. We already pay £200 pm, I can't afford anymore . It's ridiculous.

Mylovelygreendress · 13/07/2023 20:05

The SNP said they were going to reform Council Tax . In 2007 ! Apparently it now won’t be until 2026 .
Another broken promise.

Coronationstation · 13/07/2023 21:16

@TheSproutOfWrath if you’re on a private septic tank then you shouldn’t pay the wastewater service charge part of your council tax.

midgetastic · 13/07/2023 21:28

3 bed semi band E

3 bed semi down the road , 40k more expensive , band C

Really ?

JobMatch3000 · 13/07/2023 21:35

Afishcalledwand · 04/07/2023 22:21

Council tax should be a straight percentage of the current value of your house, as it is in so many other developed countries.

THIS!
It's time for a total revue of house price branding.
We are paying more, in a 3-bed semi on the outskirts of town (E) than we were in a 2-bed basement flat in a posh suburb (B) but due to its location, the flat is worth more than our house.

Scottishskifun · 13/07/2023 22:43

ProseccoOnTap · 13/07/2023 16:41

I'm certainly not the ignorant @Scottishskifun.

I just can't find sympathy for anyone who can afford a 4-bedroom detached house who is complaining about an increase.

Of course the original system has flaws & requires updated,

But those who own more expensive, larger homes should pay more.

Many houses and flats are the higher band which aren't 4 bed properties though especially in areas of the country such as the North East where they were banded higher from the start.
Higher bands doesn't just effect someone in a 4 bed detached property as this thread well demonstrates.
To charge up to 22% increase is insane even a 7.5% increase for E would put lots of families (many renters as well) under more financial pressure.

The SNP said they were getting rid of council tax because of the unfair system I do not see how increasing so dramatically when the fundamental system it was based on was incredibly flawed!
We thankfully were in the 6 month window to get it re-evaluated and downgraded to a D but were told it was extremely unlikely the house was ever even seen to be given the rating in the first place!

Lifesapurpledream · 13/07/2023 22:53

Scottishskifun · 13/07/2023 22:43

Many houses and flats are the higher band which aren't 4 bed properties though especially in areas of the country such as the North East where they were banded higher from the start.
Higher bands doesn't just effect someone in a 4 bed detached property as this thread well demonstrates.
To charge up to 22% increase is insane even a 7.5% increase for E would put lots of families (many renters as well) under more financial pressure.

The SNP said they were getting rid of council tax because of the unfair system I do not see how increasing so dramatically when the fundamental system it was based on was incredibly flawed!
We thankfully were in the 6 month window to get it re-evaluated and downgraded to a D but were told it was extremely unlikely the house was ever even seen to be given the rating in the first place!

Show quote history

This. The whole thing is absolutely crazy. I’ve just looked up houses in Melville St that recently sold for £3.5m (was looking for some of the most expensive in Scotland) and these are band H. Yet our house which cost over ten times less is one band below. WTAF

TheSproutOfWrath · 14/07/2023 05:51

We don't pay it to the council, we have to pay that bit to the farmer who owns the water supply.

Coronationstation · 14/07/2023 08:26

TheSproutOfWrath · 14/07/2023 05:51

We don't pay it to the council, we have to pay that bit to the farmer who owns the water supply.

Then that’s ok but it won’t affect your council tax band! Just make sure you’re not paying the wastewater charge part of your council tax if you’re not connected to scottish water network.

NoTouch · 14/07/2023 15:40

Band E - very modest 3 bed. Our council tax will go up £20/month. Personally would be ok with that, the money for the increased costs needs to come from somewhere.

What does get on my wick is I am paying for these services, but then on top of that we have to also pay increasing costs for a factor to maintain our 30 year old housing estate that the council won't adopt!

Just need to hope my annual salary increase (due in September) is as good as the ones the hike is supporting! doubt it

user1469095927 · 14/07/2023 15:52

Yeah ok, @Afishcalledwand lets everyone uproot their family, take kids away from schools, people move jobs so that we can pay less council tax! Rubbish!

AgnesX · 14/07/2023 16:04

All these people whinging about the SNP🙄 It would be any political party in power. I really wonder which party you all think would wave a magic wand and make it all better. If you hadn't noticed the English councils are also struggling for funds. The fact is if Scotland wants to have all the nice things like free prescriptions etc, elderly care, museums, galleries etc etc it's going to have to pay for it.

Scotland's major cities eg Glasgow and Dundee have high rates of non council tax funding because of low incomes so it's not an entire surprise CT is going to go up in those areas.

Pammela · 14/07/2023 18:26

I think this would be mad in the current climate. These 'amazing' houses people are referencing are family homes with people suffering the most with the interest rate rise.

We are second from top band and in a 3 bed! I also don't really see the link between houses and council tax as it is used to fund services within the council, rather than the houses directly. So, arguably, those with more money are less likely to access some of those services, and are therefore paying the maintaince of those unemployed/single households etc.

I really don't see how the SNP can continue to squeeze middle earners- income tax bands, stamp duty over 325k and now this..

Yet they use their favourite phrase "progressive" which should, instantly, tell you that it means it's disproportionately affecting a certain section of the population- those least likely to vote for them.

Anyway, I will be filling this out- https://consult.gov.scot/local-government-and-communities/consultation-on-a-fairer-council-tax/

Consultation on a Fairer Council Tax - Scottish Government - Citizen Space

Find and participate in consultations run by The Scottish Government

https://consult.gov.scot/local-government-and-communities/consultation-on-a-fairer-council-tax