CB Vs Local Council Tax

[Curlyben]

In one of MSE's recent e-mails there was a piece on rebanding with council tax.
So, as I had a few spares minutes I had a read.
The article is here: Council Tax Rebanding: Lower your band and save £1,000s...

I had a bit of a dig and found out that 2 houses on my road are in a lower C.Tax band to me. This was from the VOA's site. Now I know these houses are the same as mine, so I thought I'd give it a try.
The VOA's site is very useful and gives the details for your local offices.
I gave them a ring, explained the situation and was told I would have a response within 2 months.

True to their word, I cam home this evening to find a letter from them confirming that I had been rebanded DOWN a grade, back dated to 1993. Tomorrow I'll be calling the Local council tax section and asking what happens next, especially as I moved in in Oct 2003. Overall they owe me about 5 1/2 years difference, so hopefully that should account for this years bill.

I heartily recomend everyone at least have a look see, after all it's free and may well be quite profitable.

In my case they didn't send anyone round to reasses the property, but, accourding to MSE, some people have had VOA officers round, so best to be 100% truth with them from the get go.

Go on give it a go !!!!!

[enaid]

Re: CB Vs Local Council Tax

Martin Lewis did a big thing about this, I think last year, maybe the year before.
Because we changed from Poll Tax to Council Tax in 1993 they did what they call 'kerb checks', that is to say inspectors just drove around and if all the houses in the street looked the same from the kerb then that is how they were banded.
If you are not sure what band you are on you can check it here Check your council tax band : Directgov - Do it online

[Curlyben]

Re: CB Vs Local Council Tax

Well gave them a call and they will be reissuing me a bill for this year with the back dated refund applied.
All in all we're about evens, so nothing to come back to me, but a year free of council tax will do me fine

[Happyolddog]

Re: CB Vs Local Council Tax

I tried this late last year and got a swift knock back from my local council. I would agree with Curlyben though, it has to be worth a try. I'm now thinking of holding prayer meetings and getting this place classed as a place of worship and avoiding any council tax.