Your property is valued in one of eight property bands for Council Tax purposes. The band that your property is in is based on its value on 1st April 1991. Council Tax payers have a general right of appeal against the band allocated to their property, but fluctuating changes in house prices do not constitute suitable grounds for a property re-banding.
The owner or occupier of a property can appeal against their valuation banding, but must do so within six months of becoming liable for Council Tax on the property. In the case of newly built homes, you can appeal within six months of the date that the property is entered in the valuation list.
A person who has lived in a property for more than six months can only appeal against what they consider to be an 'incorrect' banding if:
If you make any improvements and alterations, such as building extensions and conservatories which could otherwise increase the value of the property, we will only consider these for Council Tax purposes if you then sell the property. The new owner would become liable for the increased charge if the property is re-banded. We would also consider such alterations if a complete Council Tax re-banding took place.
We may issue a completion notice if we consider that the work on a new or converted building is close to completion or is expected to be completed within three months of the date of the notice.
If you disagree with a completion notice, you must appeal to the Council to discuss an alternative completion date or, if this cannot be agreed, you can apply to the Valuation Tribunal within four weeks of a notice being sent.
You can appeal against a decision made about your Council Tax liability if you:
If you disagree with a decision made by us, contact us to discuss it first.
You will need to provide your name and address, Council Tax reference number and the reason(s) for the appeal. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal, or you have not received a response to the appeal within two months of making it, you can then make a further appeal to the Valuation Tribunal as long as no more than four months have passed since your original dispute.
If you have an appeal pending, you must continue to pay the current Council Tax banding amount. If your appeal is successful, you can ask us to refund any overpaid Council Tax.
Those who can appeal include:
The Valuation Office Agency's Listing Officer is responsible for considering, effecting and notifying of any alteration to the bandings contained in the valuation list.
Appeals against the property banding must be made to:
The Listing Officer
Valuation Office Agency
Ground Floor
Ferrers House
Castle Meadow Road
Nottingham
NG2 1AB
Telephone: 03000 501 501
Fax: 03000 500 975
Email: cteast@voa.gsi.gov.uk
You must continue to pay the current Council Tax banding amount. If your appeal is successful, you can ask us to refund any overpaid Council Tax.
The Valuation Tribunal is wholly independent of the Council and Valuation Office Agency's Listing Officer, although members of the tribunal are experienced in hearing council tax appeals.
The tribunal can consider:
The tribunal will arrange the hearing and consider the information from both sides before making a decision. The applicant does not need to attend in person and, if both sides agree, can be presented in writing.
The Listing Officer will let the applicant know if the matter is referred to the Valuation Tribunal.
The Valuation Tribunal's decision is normally final, but both sides can appeal to the High Court, but only on a point of law.
Appeals are dealt with by:
Valuation Tribunal Office
3rd Floor
Crossgate House
Wood Street
Doncaster
DN1 3LL
Telephone: 0300 123 2035
Fax: 01302 321447
Email: VTDoncaster@vts.gsi.gov.uk
Website: Valuation Tribunal
You must inform the Council or the Valuation Office Agency's Listing Officer (whichever is appropriate) as soon as possible if there are reasons why you feel an appeal against a decision could be made. You should provide supporting evidence where possible.
You must continue to pay the current Council Tax banding amount. If your appeal is successful, you can ask us to refund any overpaid Council Tax.