Council tax too excessive? Here is how one in 4 minimize their invoice final yr

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 yr efficiently lowered their invoice?

That’s proper—over 10,000 households with their council tax band lowered, probably saving them a whole lot of kilos.

In the event you assume your house is perhaps within the incorrect band, it could possibly be price difficult it. Right here’s the whole lot it’s good to find out about go about it.

Why problem your council tax band?

Your council tax band is predicated on the worth of your property in April 1991 (for properties in England and Scotland) or April 2003 (for properties in Wales).

If the unique valuation was incorrect or if modifications have been made to your property since then, you is perhaps paying greater than you must.

The federal government’s Valuation Workplace Company (VOA) dealt with 39,590 council tax challenges final yr, and 27% of them resulted in a decrease band.

Meaning these households will now pay much less council tax and should even get a refund for the overpayments they’ve made prior to now.

Methods to verify for those who’re in the best band

Earlier than you make a proper problem, it’s necessary to do a little bit of analysis:

1. Verify your neighbours’ bands: In case your neighbours have related properties however are in a decrease band, this could possibly be an indication that your band is incorrect. You’ll be able to examine your property’s band with others on the VOA or Scottish Assessors Affiliation (SAA) web sites.
2. Assess your property’s worth: Use the Nationwide Home Value Index calculator to estimate what your house was price in 1991 (or 2003 in Wales). If the worth suggests try to be in a decrease band, you might need grounds for a problem.
3. Contact the VOA: In case your analysis signifies that your house is within the incorrect band, you may ask the VOA to evaluate it. You’ll want to supply proof to help your case, but when the evaluate is profitable, your council tax band will probably be lowered.

Making a proper problem

In the event you’re assured that your band is wrong, you may make a proper proposal to the VOA.

That is totally different from a band evaluate and doesn’t require you to supply proof upfront. Nevertheless, in case your proposal is rejected, you may attraction to the Valuation Tribunal.

It’s price noting that there’s a small danger your band could possibly be moved up as a substitute of down, which might enhance your invoice. However that is uncommon—solely 0.08% of challenges resulted in the next band final yr.

Different methods to scale back your council tax

Even when your band is appropriate, there are different methods to scale back your council tax invoice:

• Single individual low cost: In the event you reside alone, you could possibly get a 25% low cost.
• Reductions for disregarded individuals: You may additionally get a reduction for those who reside with somebody who isn’t counted for council tax functions, reminiscent of a full-time scholar or somebody below 25 in accredited coaching.
• Hardship aid: In the event you’re struggling to pay your council tax, your native council could supply help, together with cost rescheduling, reductions for low-income households, and even hardship aid.

What occurs for those who can’t pay?

It’s necessary to not ignore your council tax invoice. In the event you’re having bother paying, contact your native council as quickly as potential.

They’ll supply help, however for those who don’t pay after receiving a last discover, the council can take authorized motion, which could embrace sending in bailiffs or taking the cash straight out of your wages.

Ultimate ideas

Difficult your council tax band may prevent a big amount of cash. By checking your band, doing a little analysis, and contacting the VOA, you would possibly discover that you simply’re entitled to pay much less.

And even when your band is appropriate, there are nonetheless different methods to scale back your invoice and get monetary help for those who want it.