Council Tax Valuation
Council Tax is an unavoidable part of life for most homeowners and occupiers of residential property. The process of challenging your Council Tax band can be complex and often time-consuming, which is where our specialists come in.
Council Tax Valuation services for the South West
Council Tax is an unavoidable part of life for most homeowners and occupiers of residential property. The process of challenging your Council Tax band can be complex and often time-consuming, which is where our specialists come in.
We have a team of expert rating consultants covering Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and the Bristol area who can work with you to advise on the following Council Tax matters:
- Valuation and Council Tax banding
- Council Tax liability
- Long Term Empty premiums and second homes
- Completion Notices
- Exempt dwellings
- Challenging your Council Tax band
You may be seeking advice on a residential property you own or one you are looking to acquire, demolish or redevelop; whatever your query, we are here to help.
Are you redeveloping or reconfiguring your residential property?
Let us guide you
The question of Council Tax liability during redevelopment works is discussed in a guidance document published by the Valuation Office Agency, entitled “Council Tax: domestic properties which are in disrepair or are derelict.”
If your property is undergoing substantial redevelopment works, with significant reconstruction making it impossible to live in any part of the property, it may be possible to have your Council Tax band deleted.
Our rating consultants have an excellent record of assisting owners and/or occupiers of residential property or developers looking to carry out extensive refurbishment or redevelopment works to an existing property. We have the expertise to submit the required supporting evidence to challenge your valuation, apply to have your Council Tax Band deleted and to negotiate with the Valuation Office Agency on your behalf – all to achieve the best possible savings.
Examples of this are: a residential property being stripped out and converted to multiple flats, flats becoming a single dwelling, or a residential property being redeveloped and converted to provide self-catering holiday accommodation.
Although no Council Tax will be payable if a band is deleted, when the property is next banded it will be treated as a new property. This means that all improvements will be reflected in the new banding from the date the work was complete. In some cases, the Billing Authority may issue a Completion Notice which informs the taxpayer and the Local Authority the date from which the property must be put in the Valuation List and Council Tax should be paid.
Would you like to appeal your Council Tax valuation?
Let us guide you
Council Tax bands are set based upon how much a property was worth on:
1 April 1991 (England and Scotland)
1 April 2003 (Wales)
It is possible to challenge your Council Tax band if you believe it to be incorrect. In order to challenge your Council Tax band, you must provide detailed reasoning accompanied by supporting evidence. The evidence must include the details of at least five comparable properties and be supported with historic house price data.
Our specialists can advise you if you are likely to succeed if you challenge your council tax band based on careful analysis of comparable evidence and house price data and, if appropriate, can prepare the challenge and liaise with the Valuation Office Agency on your behalf.
Key Contacts
Council Tax Valuation FAQs
What is Council Tax?
Council Tax is essentially a tax on domestic property, such as a house, bungalow or flat, which is lived in as a home. You will usually have to pay Council Tax if you’re 18 or over and own or rent a property.
How is Council Tax calculated?
All properties are banded on the same basis, including properties bought under discount schemes. Council Tax bands in England are based on property values as at 1 April 1991, as follows:
- Band A – up to £40,000
- Band B – £40,001 to £52,000
- Band C – £52,001 to £68,000
- Band D – £68,001 to £88,000
- Band E – £88,001 to £120,000
- Band F – £120,001 to £160,000
- Band G – £160,001 to £320,000
- Band H – £320,001 and above
Are there any discounts available?
Discounts are available where adults are living alone or where a person is the only adult living in the property. You should get a 25% discount on your Council Tax bill if you live alone or if the other individuals living in your home are ‘disregarded’ for the purposes of Council Tax. To see whether you or a person living with you are ‘disregarded’ for the purposes of Council Tax, please follow this link: www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay.
If everyone living in your property is ‘disregarded’ you will get 50% off your Council Tax bill.
Do students pay council tax?
Properties occupied solely by full time students do not attract a Council Tax liability. If you do get a bill, you can apply for an exemption. Further details can be found here: www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-full-time-students.
Why has my Council Tax band changed?
Your property may be revalued and your Council Tax band changed in some of the following circumstances:
- You have bought a property and the previous owner made changes, such as an extension
- You demolish part of the property and do not rebuild
- You carry out works to the property, such as converting a single dwelling into multiple self-contained flats
- You convert multiple flats to a single dwelling
- You create two or more self-contained units, such as an annexe
- If there are change to the local area
We have a team of experts who can advise on the changes made to your banding and challenge these, where appropriate.
Do I have to pay Council Tax on an empty property?
Yes, ordinarily you do have to pay Council Tax when a property is empty. However, your local council can, at their discretion, offer a discount.
If your property has been empty for two or more years, you can be charged a Council Tax ‘premium’. The level of premium charged depends how long your property has been empty; those that have been empty for ten years or more may attract a charge four times higher than usual.
Can I apply for a discount if my property is being refurbished?
Yes – you may get a discount if your property is undergoing major repair work or structural changes. Our consultants specialise in this and can liaise with your local council on your behalf to ensure you are paying council tax only when you should be.
Can I apply for a discount if my property is derelict?
Yes – if you think a derelict property should be removed from the Council Tax valuation list, you can challenge your Council Tax band. There are certain criteria which need to be met for a property to be defined as derelict. Our team of specialist consultants can advise you if your property meets the definition of a derelict property and can prepare the challenge and liaise with the Valuation Office Agency on your behalf.
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