Around ten years ago I challenged the council regarding council tax and the rating band which I was in.
Initialy they said I was too late in applying as the banding had already been assesed for this financial year.
Not being too worried I asked them if they would treat my application as an early application for next year.. and would it be backdated ? ... you've got to ask have'nt you.
About a month later I got a letter saying 'they re-assesed me and I was now in the next band down, and as I had overpaid in previous years I was now in credit for the rest of the year ... they also included a cheque for around £800.
... all my neighbours have applied and got re-banded, and as long as we stay at this property, we will stay in the same lower band.
It was definitely worth applying ... and it was the ratings officer that I applied to in the first place.
If you dont ask ... they wont offer..!