So it’s been a long and for many financially tight year and any spare money has now been well and truly spent on Christmas festivities (and given all that has happened over the last 12 monthe rightly so). If you are anything like me you are probably wondering how big that credit card bill will be when it drops through the door in January and where you might make some savings.
Despite historically low interest rates, inflation is beginning to rise and the cost of living is predicted to increase in the next few months. On top of this, it is likely that there will be a rise in council tax generally.
Council tax was introduced in 1993 (replacing the ever-so popular Poll Tax) based on 1991 property values. It is a residential property tax and places each property in England into one of 8 bands (A-H). Originally, there was to be a re-assessment of the bands every 5 years but this never happened. This does not however mean that you can not look at your council tax band and appeal it if you feel it is too high. Many people don’t bother as the tax is established and largely accepted. After all is it really going to make much difference?
There are specific limitations set down as to when, who and on what grounds the banding can be appealed but, to my mind, these are rather irrelevant as the listing officer has a duty to maintain an accurate list.
If the banding is reduced you may be in line for a rebate of all monies overpaid by you, in some instances all the way back to 1993! Still think it’s not worth checking whether your property’s banding is correct?