自从上个星期MoneySavingExpert的Martin Lewis在黄金档电视节目中告知大众很多人都享有最高可达数千镑的council tax退款资格的消息后，很多人都涌向Valuation Office Agency网站去评估，甚至造成了网站负荷过大的问题。

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为什么可以拿到退款

In a nutshell, council tax bills depend on your home's band, allocated based on the property's 1991 value. Yet no one came to your home to value it; it was usually done by “second gear valuation”, meaning estate agent would drive past and estimate the band.

The bandings were assessed on 1 April 1991, and haven't been reassessed since (except in Wales) so the first problem is because it’s likely many are out of date; e.g. if you've had a nightclub built next to your house or it's been turned into flats (though you could also be paying too little if your home’s improved!) or property values in your specific neighbourhood have dropped compared to elsewhere.

Yet the issue is much more wide ranging. It's possible you're in the wrong band simply because of a huge number of inconsistent initial assessments, which have never been corrected.

It's all because of 'second gear valuations'



具体步骤

The aim here is to first of all find out if your band matches up to similar properties and then if it doesn't, do a quick estimate of what your house was worth way back in 1991.

Step 1. Compare your band to your neighbours'

We need to see if your house is correctly banded in comparison to other similar properties; of course you could do it by just asking the neighbours, but you’d be surprised how few people know their banding. Luckily it can all be done on the web.

* In England and Wales use the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
* In Scotland use the Scottish Assessors Association (SAA)

First, enter your own postcode and double check your band. Then check any neighbours' bands, ensuring you’re looking at properties that are as similar as possible to yours, for an accurate comparison.

STEP 2. Check house price values for free

The second search method is even more revealing. Go to Nethouseprices, which gives a free search of the prices of all houses sold in your street since 2000.

We want to find the most recent sale price of a similar property to yours, in your street. Find the closest match and then note down both the price and the time of sale.

STEP 3: Calculate your house value at 1991 levels

Now we need to take the details from STEP 2, and use it to work out what your house would’ve been worth in 1991. This is because the bands are decided by your 1991 house price value, so it's a good second check.

To do this go to the Nationwide House Price Calculator. This is actually designed for people to put in their house price when they bought it, and work out what it's worth now. Yet it is possible to use it in reverse to get a rough value back in 1991.

How to get the calculator to do it

* Scroll down the page to the calculator
* In ‘Property value’ note the sales price as from Step 2
* In ‘Valuation date 1’ enter the sales date from Step 2 (and make sure you put down which quarter of the year it was).
* In Valuation date 2’ enter 1991, and Q2

Then click calculate, the results (rather strangely) appear just above the calculator. You should now have a rough idea of your house price value in 1991; compare this to the actual bandings, to see what banding you should be in.

点击浏览附件




联系有关部门

At this point I must throw in a serious warning. You're about to ask for a banding 'reassessment', not a 'decrease', so be warned there's a chance your band may increase. Do be very sure you've done your research, don't just do a speculative challenge. Preferably both the indicators above have shown you're in the wrong band; though by far the most important indicator is your band compared to neighbours' in similar properties.

Then, if you feel your property band’s unfair, call or write to:

* In England and Wales; your Local Listing Officer
* In Scotland; your Local Assessor

You’ll be told how your band was decided, and have the opportunity to explain why you believe it is wrong and how it should be altered. Alternatively, you can appeal online via the VOA or SAA.

There is an official list of the reasons for re-valuation and, where possible when challenging the banding, you should cite one of those reasons. It's far easier if you've moved within the last six months, as then there's an official process.

If you've been in the property longer than six months

The Listings Office has a duty to ensure all bands are correct, so it should investigate your representations and alter the Valuation List if it believes it's required. This also applies if your re-valuation reason isn't on the official list (explained at the bottom of this VOA page).

To do this simply write a letter stating, "I believe the council tax banding list is incorrect, as my house is in the wrong band, and I ask that it is corrected." This has and does work.

What to do if that doesn't work

If you challenged your banding and your enquiry was rejected, deemed invalid or you didn't receive a response, you can request they take your case to tribunal. Appeals in England and Wales go to the independent Valuation Tribunals Service and in Scotland, the Valuation Appeal Committee.

Always continue to pay any council tax owing during an appeal. If successful the council will revise your bill accordingly. Additionally, check if the new banding will be applicable from the day the decision has been finalised, or if it will be backdated; if the latter you’ll get a rebate for any overpayments made.





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每个月去交钱，心就在滴血、

这个我一定收下好好研究,NND

好人哪！

幸亏没有够格交COUNCIL TAX。

good article ..

LZ好人呐……不过偶现在还用不到

准备搬到council house去。