Another Hike in Taxes!

1st September 2004

T. Wyn Jones

Householders in Wales have recently received their Council Tax Revaluation Forms indicating the new Council Tax Banding for their property, which will be used to calculate their Council Tax Demands from 1st April 2005 onwards.

On speaking to numerous households I am amazed to learn of the proposed increases in banding. For example I have been asked to advise a client who owns a property with a current entry of Band C (house value £39,001 - £51,000). Under the new Listing the value of a Band C property would have been £65,001 - £91,000 – quite reasonable you may think given the rise in property prices - but incredibly the property has now been listed as Band G a value of £223,001 – 324,000 – a staggering 350% increase.

The new valuation bands have been based upon house prices as at 1st April 2003 (with a new ‘Band I’ for the most expensive properties). Carrying out the revaluation was the Valuation Office Agency who one would have assumed visited each of the properties – but I understand due to time constraints this was not done.

Due to the overall increase in banding I envisage a plethora of appeals, but to add insult to injury householders cannot appeal until after 1st April 2005 which means that the Council Tax bills (until the appeal has been heard and hopefully won) will be based upon the new valuation. At the last valuation some appeals took over 12 months to be heard!

Readers in England shouldn’t be tempted to think you can turn a blind eye to this either – you have not been forgotten – your time will come!

Finally, a word of warning – changes such as these usually herald the arrival of fly by night operators promising the earth but asking for payment up front. If you consider lodging an appeal at the appropriate time beware of the “Cowboy” companies. Take advice from a professionally qualified Chartered Surveyor.

For further information on Property Matters Wyn can be contacted on Tel 07702 722905 or by e-mail at wyn@mccartneys.co.uk