Council Tax Banding

[Mobius1]

Have lived in a 2 bed flat since 2009 in a re-purposed building containing 5 other flats as part of it's 'new build'. Mine is the largest of the flats and, I believe, the one which is most costly to rent as a result.

Having checked, my flat is the only one of all 6 that's in council tax band C, all of the others are in band B. The others are 2 bedroom affairs also and of near identical fitting, the main differences being internal layout.

I've read about challenging council tax banding and the suggestion that one might have a strong case if similar, adjacent properties are in a lower band but that if re-assessed the band can also go up as well as down. Being a rental I have no access or desire in a valutation of the property's worth, only whether I'm paying over the odds for council tax considering it's a 2 bed flat with 2 people occupying the property. Would challenging the banding be prudent or is it likely to be more trouble than its worth?

[bednobs]

is it considerably bigger than the others in the block? if not i would say it's worth it.

[johnny37]

Depends how much you stand to gain. When this tax was first introduced it was based on the rental value so it is quite possible that the valuer decided on a higher band for your flat. If you appeal it is unlikely to go up to band D. A daft system if you ask me. The poll tax system was fairer as it was based on the number of wage earners in the property. The gvt had to scrap it because of the idiots out on the streets burning tyres.

[ChuckFickens]

Council tax isn't based on rental value (that was the old rates before poll tax).... council tax is based on the sale value of the property in 1991.

[johnny37]

Correct. Still a daft system. I believe valuers just drove past. Govt want to introduce a more accurate system based on whether you have a 'nice' view or live in a 'nice' street. Means a little old lady with hardly any needs will pay more than six adults. Sorry for digressing!

[buildersmate]

Johnny, the reason why the poll tax was scrapped because it was too easy for too many people to escape the tax by shifting around (from one dwelling to the next). Properties don't move so by forcing the occupier of the property to pay whatever tax is demanded for locally-provided services makes it easier to track what property is paid for and which ones have defaulted.

CF's answer is correct, but you have already given yourself a clue as to why your CT is higher - the internal area is greater.

You have little to lose by asking for a review.

[Mobius1]

Thanks for the responses. On balance I think I probably don't have much to lose by asking for it to be reviewed. I think I needed a nudge. Common sense would suggest that it's highly unlikely to be re-banded D given the surrounding flats are all B. I'll look into this and post the outcome if anything ever happens!

[bushbaby_de]

If you've lived there since 2009 you won't be able to challenge the banding - you only have six months from becoming responsible for the Council Tax bill for the property.

[droopydrawers]

I would suggest going ahead and challenge it. You are the one paying the tax whether owner or rental.

2 years back we had a surprise one morning when a cheque for over £1000 dropped through out letter box, from the council tax department. I immediately rang them telling them there had been a mistake.

It appeared our old neighbour had challenged the C banding, we, and all the properties in the street had been in the wrong band.

He won the case and all properties were re-banded to Band B,so everyone in similar properties were refunded the difference, back to when the Tax was first introduced,including us, even tho we had moved 5 years previous.

Nice surprise so good luck Mobius1

DD