COUNCIL TAX
All domestic properties in England and Wales become liable
to a local tax from from the 1st April 1993. The Council Tax has a property element depending on the valuation
band in which the property has been placed. The personal element is related to the number of adults over the age
18 years resident in the property. The basic bill assumes that there are two adults resident in the property and
in this case the personal element and the property element will each comprise 50% of the bill. If there are more
than two resident adults, the bill is not increased. However, if there are less than two residents, the bill is
reduced accordingly. The bill for a one-adult household will be 75% of the basic bill. Of this 50% represents the
property element and 25% the personal element. A dwelling with no residents will be subject to a 50% bill, that
is the property element alone.
The Valuation List contains the address of every residential property within the Chester District with the relevant
valuation band alongside it. The Valuation Office Agency, who is independent from the Council, puts this list together
and maintains it. The valuation is based upon an estimate of how much the property would have been worth it if
was sold on the open market on 1 April 1991 (not the present day value). Any changes in market value between 1
April 1991 and now will not be considered as reasons for appeal. Council Tax was introduced on the 1st April 1993
and taxpayers had until 30 November 1993 to challenge their property's banding.
BUSINESS RATES
The valuation of property is undertaken by the valuation officers of the Board of Inland Revenue, who are independent of the local authorities. A valuation officer is responsible for preparing a new valuation list every 5 years for each rating area; for inserting new properties in the list and changing entries if he thinks the original value is wrong or the property has been altered. Every non' domestic property unless it is exempt, has a rateable value.The money raised through the Business Rates each year stays the same and the Government then pays for the same level of service from your local council. Your local council works out your Business Rates bill by multiplying your rateable value by the multiplier or poundage' which the Government sets from 1st April each year for the whole of England.The multiplier (which is often called the uniform business rate or UBR) normally changes every year to move in line with inflation. By law, the multiplier cannot go up by more than the rate of inflation except following a revaluation .
APPEALS
You may object to the valuation made if there has been a physical or material change to the property. Each rating authority has an assessment committee, charged with the duty of hearing and determining all proposals and objections to valuations made within its assessment area, and of approving the valuation lists. Disputes arising out of such requests (if they have not been settled previously by agreement between the valuation officers and the individuals and bodies concerned) are referred to local valuation tribunal.The panels are independent bodies whose members are not appointed to represent any local body or interest, They give their services voluntarily, but their expenses are borne by the Exchequer.
