An Alexandria couple claims they have been overpaying council tax for the last 17 years.

James and Fiona McCormack, who live in Redburn in Bonhill, say they only found out they were paying a band higher than the majority of other residents in the street when a neighbour told them after checking on the Scottish Assessors Association website. 

They are one of six properties, of which all are the same size, that is paying Band C, which is currently set at £1,243.54 per year.

While all the other homes within the same postcode are paying Band B, which is currently £1,088.10 per year.

James and Fiona moved into their home in 2007 and say they were unaware until earlier this year that they were paying a different band of council tax to the majority of the neighbours.

The couple estimates they have been overcharged around £6000 over the last 17 years.

"It is absolutely ridiculous and if it is not resolved soon then we will be seeking legal advice," James said.

"We are going to have to appeal this because it is not on.

"It is tough economic climate for ordinary people at the moment and this is really something we could be doing without.

"We are both lucky to be working but not everyone is in the same situation."

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The couple got in contact with West Dunbartonshire Council to express their concerns in April and were sent a letter in response from the Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Valuation Joint Board in May.

The document states that their proposals were "unable to be accepted as being validly made because it was not done so within the period laid down by statute."

(Image: Newsquest) It is also explained in the letter that "the legal position that the person who was a taxpayer at April 1, 1993, then the last date for submitting a proposal by that person was November 30, 1993.

"Alternatively, where a person first becomes a taxpayer in respect of a dwelling after May 31, 1993 then proposals must be submitted within six months of them first becoming the taxpayer in respect of that dwelling."

And Fiona expressed her frustration at the communication process.

"Outside of the letter from the board in May, there has not been any correspondence," she added.

"The letter that we received claimed we had six months to put that claim in but how are you meant to know to do that?

"It is not our business to know what anyone else is paying and we trusted to the council to make sure we are getting charged the correct amount.

"The Dunbartonshire and Argyll Valuation Joint Board have not offered to change the band but even that would not be enough at this point.

"We want compensation as this has caused us a lot of stress."

The original letter also claimed that it would be "arranged for a member of the surveying staff to carry out a courtesy check of the entry in the valuation list."

While it was acknowledged in the document that this courtesy check could take time, Fiona and James say they have yet to hear back.

The Reporter made several attempts through calls and emails to contact the Dunbartonshire and Argyll Valuation Joint Board but did not receive a response.