Hull resident challenges council tax band - now the rest of the street's paying more

Updated
Angry residents
Angry residents



Residents of one Hull street are up in arms after their council tax was increased - because one neighbour complained about paying more than everyone else.

The unidentified person was apparently annoyed to discover their house, in Lynton Avenue, had been placed in band B, while the rest of the street was in band A.

But when the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) investigated, it decided that this person wasn't paying too much - the others were paying too little. As a result, the rest of the street is facing an increase of £160 a year.

Kerry Wilson, a 45-year-old accounts manager who has lived in the street for 16 years, tells the Hull Daily Mail that she and her neighbours plan to appeal against the decision.

"We have been in band A as long as we've lived here. The move to band B means our houses would have been valued at more than £40,000 in 1991, but there is no way that can be true. My husband has found all the house prices from that time and none of them were more than that," she says.

"It's caused a right rumpus and we're making sure everyone in the street will send their letter of appeal in."

As Ms Wilson says, a property's council tax band in England and Scotland is based on what it was worth on 1 April 1991, rather than its current value. In Wales, the relevant date is 1 April 2003.

If you think you're in too high a band, you can challenge it. If you're successful - and more than 12,000 people were, last year - you can potentially claim a rebate for the excess you've paid since 1993. Some people have been able to claim back thousands.

The first step is to use the website to find out what your neighbours are paying. But it's also a good idea to check what your house, and your neighbours', were worth on the relevant date - Zoopla may be able to help.

And think carefully before appealing if you've done anything to improve your property, such as adding an extension. When the VOA reviews your band, it's just as free to raise it as lower it.

There's also the danger that, as in this case, the VOA will decide to raise the band of your neighbours - although this is, it has to be said, pretty unusual.

Care Crisis - Who's Picking Up the Pieces?
Care Crisis - Who's Picking Up the Pieces?



Read more on AOL Money:

Hospital volunteers 'should get Council Tax discount'

Council will collect bins once a month

Council tax bill differences widen further

Advertisement