How to challenge your council tax band in England and Wales
Challenging your council tax band is free. You do it yourself through GOV.UK with the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). You don't need to pay anyone.
Step 1: check your band
Look up your band and your neighbours' bands on GOV.UK: check your council tax band.
Step 2: see which route applies
- A formal proposal is possible within 6 months of first paying council tax on the home, within 6 months of a band change, or after a physical change to the property. The VOA must review it. GOV.UK: legal right to challenge.
- Otherwise you can ask for a band review, but you'll need strong evidence.
Step 3: gather evidence
The VOA's guide suggests evidence such as up to 5 similar homes nearby (similar location, type, age and size) in a lower band, or sale prices from 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1993 in England, or 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2003 in Wales. VOA step-by-step guide.
Know the risk
After a review your band can go up, down or stay the same, and the VOA can change your neighbours' bands too. You must keep paying council tax while your challenge is reviewed (GOV.UK).
Step 4: challenge on GOV.UK
This guide covers England and Wales. Scotland uses local assessors with different rules (saa.gov.uk). Not legal advice.
Need to complain about something else? See our refund letter or letter before claim.
Common questions
Does it cost anything to challenge my council tax band?
No. It's free to do yourself on GOV.UK.
Can my band go up?
Yes. After a review the band can go up, down or stay the same, and neighbours' bands can change too.
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