TENANTS are celebrating after winning their fight to have council tax bands lowered.
Bills are to fall for 90 residents in a new Glasgow estate after they successfully challenged a decision to put their homes in a higher council tax banding than neighbouring properties.
The Evening Times reported last month that the 90 were given a Band D for their new homes in Shawbridge Street, Pollokshaws, meaning they had to pay £357 a year more than people in a nearby existing block.
The flats were built in a number of tenement blocks in a U shape round an existing block, where the council tax is set at Band B.
For the two-bedroom flats in the new-build blocks, the Band D bill, including the water and sewerage charge, comes to £1606.
But in an adjacent block similar properties are paying band B at £1249 a year, a difference of £357.
Cathcart MSP James Dornan appealed to the City Assessor on behalf of the tenants and the banding is now be lowered by one band.
For those on the Band rating, that will be a reduction of £179.51, although it will still be £178.51 more than their Band B neighbours.
However, Mr Dornan said the decision was common sense and was delighted with the result. He said: "I consider this to be a victory for common sense, as well as the residents
"When I first made aware of this huge council tax increase the unfairness of it was clear.
"I was delighted that after meeting the assessor he agreed to reduce the banding for all properties in this block by one band – for example, Band E to D and D to C – and that will mean a saving of hundreds of pounds per year.
"I have now written to every resident who asked me to submit an appeal to see if they are happy with this offer.
"The initial feedback is that people are delighted with this proposal and that, finally, a positive outcome appears to have been achieved.
"I look forward to a speedy resolution and the repayment of any monies due from previous over-charging."
Bill Carson, resident and chairman of the community council, said: "This is a good decision. Many of the people I have spoken to so far are happy to have won a reduction."
A city council spokesman said: "The offer has been made having reconsidered the case, taking into account the location of the properties, in contrast to those previously assessed."
stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk