Guidance

Planning blight and your Council Tax

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) explains how changes to a property's locality may entitle you to a Council Tax band alteration.

• From: Valuation Office Agency
• Published: 25 November 2016

This publication was withdrawn on 19 December 2016

This content is being reviewed to include details for material reduction proposals with regards to large scale infrastructure projects.

Documents

Your property and blight

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/your-property-and-blight

Claim compensation if your property is affected by HS2

https://www.gov.uk/claim-compensation-if-affected-by-hs2

Details

Although property values can be affected by the expectation of changes in an area, a Council Tax band alteration cannot be considered until actual changes to the locality occur.

Blight is a change, or changes, that causes loss of value. Property values can be affected by the expectation of changes in an area. However, a Council Tax band alteration cannot be considered until actual changes to the locality occur.

An actual change to the locality might be the start of scheme works, or other changes associated with a scheme, which makes a physical difference to the locality. If the scheme is approved by Parliament it is likely to be some time before things actually happen. When physical changes do occur a review of Council Tax bands may be appropriate.

The law currently only allows compensation for planning blight to be sought from the authority proposing a scheme under the Land Compensation rules. This is nothing to do with Council Tax legislation.

For example, you may wish to contact the Department of Transport direct for further information about the HS2 rail link, or the local authority responsible for the scheme. There is more information available in the Documents section.

For Council Tax queries, the VOA can deal with your enquiry. There is no charge for this service. Find your regional VOA office.

Published 25 November 2016