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If you think your property has been put in the
wrong property band you can appeal.
You must start this process within six months of becoming
a North Somerset council tax payer and can do so if you are one of
the following:
- The person liable to pay council tax
- The owner or person entitled to possession of the
dwelling
- The person who would be liable if the property was not
exempt from council tax
- The billing authority - ie. North Somerset
Council
If you do not appeal within six months one of the
following conditions must apply for an appeal to be
made:
- The physical state of the local area has changed affecting the
value of your property
- Part of your property has been demolished
- Alterations have been made to make your property suitable
for use by a disabled person and its value has
decreased
- Your property has been converted into flats or vice
versa
- There is an increase or decrease in the part of your
property used for business purposes.
However, if the value of your property has increased or
decreased due to general changes in the housing market this will
not be a reason for changing your band.
Also if you make improvements to your property, such as
adding an extension, your band will not change untill you sell the
property when the new owner will be liable for the increased
charge.
You will need to make your appeal in writing
to the Government's
Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
which is responsible for setting the property bands.
You should contact the VOA's local Listing Officer stating
your name and address, interest in the property, why you think the
band is wrong and what it should be.
The local VOA office is at the following
address:
The
Valuation Office Agency
4th Floor
City Point
Temple Gate
Bristol BS1 6PL
If it decides to re-band your property we will then amend
your account and refund any overpayments where
necessary.
However, if the VOA does not agree to re-band or if no
decision has been made within six months it will refer the matter
to something called a valuation tribunal.
These independent tribunals will decide your case with
their decisions normally final.
However, an appeal may be made to the High Court but only
on a point of law.
The tribunal will contact you to arrange a date for a free
hearing but if both parties agree your case can be dealt with in
writing.
You should continue to pay your council tax during the
appeals process as failure to do so will result in recovery action
being taken.
If your appeal is successful all overpaid council tax will
be refunded on request.
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