Council tax is a big expense for a lot of households, however do you know that one in 4 individuals who challenged their council tax band final 12 months efficiently diminished their invoice?
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That’s proper—over 10,000 households with their council tax band lowered, probably saving them a whole lot of kilos.
In case you suppose your own home could be within the flawed band, it might be price difficult it. Right here’s every little thing it is advisable find out about easy methods to go about it.
Why problem your council tax band?
Your council tax band relies on the worth of your property in April 1991 (for houses in England and Scotland) or April 2003 (for houses in Wales).
If the unique valuation was flawed or if modifications have been made to your property since then, you could be paying greater than you must.
The federal government’s Valuation Workplace Company (VOA) dealt with 39,590 council tax challenges final 12 months, and 27% of them resulted in a decrease band.
Which means these households will now pay much less council tax and should even get a refund for the overpayments they’ve made previously.
Tips on how to examine if you happen to’re in the precise band
Earlier than you make a proper problem, it’s necessary to do a little bit of analysis:
- Test your neighbours’ bands: In case your neighbours have related properties however are in a decrease band, this might be an indication that your band is flawed. You may evaluate your property’s band with others on the VOA or Scottish Assessors Affiliation (SAA) web sites.
- Assess your property’s worth: Use the Nationwide Home Worth Index calculator to estimate what your own home was price in 1991 (or 2003 in Wales). If the worth suggests you ought to be in a decrease band, you may need grounds for a problem.
- Contact the VOA: In case your analysis signifies that your own home is within the flawed band, you’ll be able to ask the VOA to evaluate it. You’ll want to offer proof to help your case, but when the evaluate is profitable, your council tax band might be lowered.
Making a proper problem
In case you’re assured that your band is inaccurate, you can also make a proper proposal to the VOA.
That is completely different from a band evaluate and doesn’t require you to offer proof upfront. Nonetheless, in case your proposal is rejected, you’ll be able to enchantment to the Valuation Tribunal.
It’s price noting that there’s a small danger your band might be moved up as a substitute of down, which might improve your invoice. However that is uncommon—solely 0.08% of challenges resulted in a better band final 12 months.
Different methods to cut back your council tax
Even when your band is right, there are different methods to cut back your council tax invoice:
- Single particular person low cost: In case you reside alone, you could possibly get a 25% low cost.
- Reductions for disregarded individuals: You may additionally get a reduction if you happen to reside with somebody who isn’t counted for council tax functions, comparable to a full-time pupil or somebody underneath 25 in accepted coaching.
- Hardship reduction: In case you’re struggling to pay your council tax, your native council might supply help, together with fee rescheduling, reductions for low-income households, and even hardship reduction.
What occurs if you happen to can’t pay?
It’s necessary to not ignore your council tax invoice. In case you’re having bother paying, contact your native council as quickly as doable.
They will supply help, however if you happen to don’t pay after receiving a last discover, the council can take authorized motion, which could embody sending in bailiffs or taking the cash immediately out of your wages.
Closing ideas
Difficult your council tax band may prevent a big amount of cash. By checking your band, performing some analysis, and contacting the VOA, you would possibly discover that you simply’re entitled to pay much less.
And even when your band is right, there are nonetheless different methods to cut back your invoice and get monetary help if you happen to want it.
Ricky Willis is the unique Skint Dad. A money-making fanatic, father, and husband to Naomi. He’s at all times searching for distinctive methods to earn somewhat further.