Don’t pay for council tax band reassessment | Latest news

 

Arun District Council is urging residents to not hand over money to anyone contacting them about challenging their council tax band.

A woman in Bersted was recently contacted by a company who said her home was currently in a higher council tax band than it should be and that she was entitled to a refund.

The woman was told a £65 charge would be deducted by the company from the refund.

Whilst this practice is not illegal, Arun would encourage anyone wishing to check their banding for free  to contact  the government’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the Council would never recommend giving your bank or debit/credit card details over the phone or on the door step to any company or person  you don’t know or you hadn’t contacted yourself.

Councillor Dudley Wensley, Deputy Leader of Arun District Council and Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance, said: “Residents wishing to challenge their council tax banding can have peace of mind they won’t be hit with additional and unnecessary charges if they contact the VOA to check their banding.

“The VOA provides valuations and property advice to support taxation and benefits to the government and councils in England, Scotland and Wales. They also provide valuation and surveying services to public bodies. The VOA compiles and maintains lists of council tax bands for 25 million domestic properties.

“The VOA will tell you how your Council Tax band has been worked out. They can review your band if you provide information that suggests it is wrong (e.g. evidence that similar properties in your street are in a different band).

“If they agree your band is wrong, they’ll put it right, the Council will then update it and if you have overpaid, the Council will give you a refund.”

In England, if you make a formal challenge and disagree with the VOA’s decision, you can appeal to the independent Valuation Tribunal. You will need to appeal within three months of the VOA’s decision.

The Tribunal provides a free service and can’t award costs.

Residents should be aware that if they ask for a reassessment, the band could be moved up as well as down, which would result in a higher council tax bill.

For more information please visit the VOA's website.To contact the VOA please call 03000 501501 or email NSOhelpdesk@voa.gsi.gov.uk. 

The Council has a scam alerts page on its website, which has a list of the latest alleged scams Arun is aware of.