MORE than 200 Newport residents face a massive rise in council tax charges as their homes jump three grades in the property bands.

The Argus can reveal 239 households in the city will see their bills rise by hundreds of pounds as their properties rise three bands in April.

Another 1,433 households also face large increases as their properties go up by two bands and 17,854 will go up by one band.

It follows last year's property revaluation and rebanding exercise by the government.

Gwynneth Elias's home, a three-bedroom maisonette in Caerau Road valued at around £110,000, has been rebanded as Band D from Band A.

Now, instead of paying the Band A charge of £512.66, she faces an increase of more than £250 to the Band D charge of £769.03.

The change will be staggered over two years with all rebanded householders moving one band this year and the remainder next year.

But Miss Elias, 46, a former nurse manager and registered disabled, says the rise will put her under financial strain.

She said: "I live on disability living allowance and my pension. My income is fixed so the rise will really affect me.

"But it's not just me I'm worried about. There are plenty of others out there in the same situation."

From April this year council tax charges are set to rise by 5.5 per cent - from £723.62 to £769.03 for the average Band D households.

It means even homes moving just one band from C to D, will face a leap of £80.96.

But of the 59,714 revalued properties in Newport, the majority - 37,381 - are to remain in the same band, while 2,807 are to see their property actually go down a band.

Miss Elias said: "The whole banding system is flawed. The current A and B bands are useless. Very few properties now fall into them.

"Band A should be for all properties under £91,000. The system needs to be fairer."

A spokesman for the Valuation Office Agency said: "Properties have been placed in a band which reflects their value at April 1, 2003, rather than the current value.

"The set valuation date ensures that the value of all properties is assessed as at a fixed point in time, making it a fair system for everyone.

"Taxpayers are invited to contact the VOA if they have any queries regarding their new band.

"If after talking to the VOA, taxpayers still feel that their new council tax band is incorrect, they may appeal to have it changed from April 1."

The VOA can be contacted on 02920 806 800 and at www.voa.gov.uk

How the bands work out

Band A £512.68 (properties up to £44,000)

Band B £598.13 (properties between £44,001 and £65,000)

Band C £683.58 (properties between £65,001 and £91,000)

Band D £769.03 (properties between £91,001 and £123,000)

Band E £939.93 (properties between £123,001 and £162,000)

Band F £1110.83 (properties between £162,001 and £223,000)

Band G £1281.71 (properties between £223,001 and £324,000)

Band H £1538.06 (properties between £324,001 and £424,000)

Band I £1794.41 (properties between £424,0001 and above)