Challenge your Council Tax band
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1. Overview
Council Tax bands are based on how much a property was worth on:
- 1 April 1991, for England and Scotland
- 1 April 2003, for Wales
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
You can challenge your Council Tax band if there has been a change that affects the property or you think your band is wrong.
For properties in England and Wales, you submit your challenge to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).
In Scotland, you submit your challenge to an assessor based in your local Valuation Joint Board or council. Find a Scottish Assessor on the Scottish Assessors Association website.
If there’s been a change that affects the property
You can propose a new band if there’s been a change that affects the property. One of the following must apply:
- your property has changed - for example, it’s been demolished, split into multiple properties or merged into one
- your property’s use has changed - for example, part of your property is now used for business
- your local area has changed physically - for example, a new supermarket has been built
If you think your band is wrong
You can also challenge your Council Tax band if there have not been any changes to the property recently but you think the band is wrong.
You’ll need to provide supporting evidence showing why you think your property is in the wrong band - for example, details about properties that are similar to yours but in lower tax bands.
2. Evidence that supports your challenge
You’ll be asked for evidence that your Council Tax band is wrong when you challenge a Council Tax band in England or Wales. You’ll need to give your evidence when you apply.
If there’s been a change that affects the property
If you’re proposing a new band, you must provide one of the following pieces of evidence:
- a description of any changes to your property - if it has been demolished, split into multiple properties or merged into one
- details of your property’s change of use - if part of your property is now used for business
- a description of how your local area has changed physically - for example, if a new supermarket has been built
- details of any physical works which have taken place to your property
If you think your band is wrong
You’ll need to provide addresses for up to 5 similar properties in a lower band than yours.
The properties should be the same as your property in terms of:
- type - for example, if you live in a semi-detached house the properties should be semi-detached houses
- size - for example, number of bedrooms and total area
- age
- style and design
The properties should also be either:
- in the same street or estate - if you live in a town or city
- in the same village - if you live in the countryside
Evidence from house prices
You can also use the price that your property or similar properties sold for as evidence, if the sales were between:
- 1 April 1989 and 31 March 1993 - if your property is in England
- 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2005 - if your property is in Wales
You can look up property sale prices online from 1995 onwards.
Compare the sale prices to the prices the properties are valued at for Council Tax.
| Council Tax band | Properties in England - value in April 1991 | Properties in Wales - value in April 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | Up to £44,000 |
| B | More than £40,000 and up to £52,000 | More than £44,000 and up to £65,000 |
| C | More than £52,000 and up to £68,000 | More than £65,000 and up to £91,000 |
| D | More than £68,000 and up to £88,000 | More than £91,000 and up to £123,000 |
| E | More than £88,000 and up to £120,000 | More than £123,000 and up to £162,000 |
| F | More than £120,000 and up to £160,000 | More than £162,000 and up to £223,000 |
| G | More than £160,000 and up to £320,000 | More than £223,000 and up to £324,000 |
| H | More than £320,000 | More than £324,000 and up to £424,000 |
| I | - | More than £424,000 |
If the sale prices are outside the Council Tax band, you can use this as evidence. You will need to give:
- the addresses of the properties
- the sale prices
- the dates the properties were sold - the closer this is to the valuation date, the more likely the VOA will be able to use this evidence
The VOA will not consider average house price information from websites such as Nationwide House Price Index, Nethouseprices, Rightmove or Zoopla as strong evidence.
3. How to challenge
You can challenge your Council Tax band online for properties in England and Wales.
You’ll need to provide evidence to support your challenge.
You must continue paying your Council Tax while the challenge is happening.
You can also appoint someone else to challenge on your behalf.
If you cannot use the online service
You can also call or email the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to challenge your Council Tax band. You’ll need to provide supporting evidence when you contact them.
Valuation Office Agency
ctinbox@voa.gov.uk
Telephone (England): 03000 501 501
Telephone (Wales): 03000 505 505
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges
4. After you make a challenge
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will usually let you know they’ve received your challenge within a few days. It can take up to 28 days if they need to check there’s enough evidence to review your challenge.
If the VOA need more information about your challenge they will contact you.
It can then take up to 2 months to review your challenge. Once they’ve done this, they’ll either:
- change your Council Tax band - your local council will revise your bill and adjust your payments
- tell you why your band cannot be changed
If you disagree with the decision
You can appeal the decision in some cases. You’ll be told if you can appeal and how to do this when you get your decision.
If there’s been a change that affects your property
You have the right to appeal the decision of the VOA.
If you think your property is in the wrong band
You can only appeal the decision of the VOA if either:
- you’ve been in your property and paying Council Tax for less than 6 months
- your band has changed in the last 6 months
When you need to appeal
If you can appeal, you normally need to do this within 3 months of getting the decision.
You may be able to get the time limit extended in some circumstances. You’ll need to explain why you need an extension on the appeal form.
How to appeal a decision
In England, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. The Valuation Tribunal is independent of the VOA. It’s free, but you have to pay your own costs.
If the tribunal agrees with you, the VOA will change your band and the council will update your bill.
If you’re in Wales, send it to the Valuation Tribunal for Wales.
Get help
The Valuation Tribunal has guidance on:
You can also contact the tribunal for help.
Valuation Tribunal
Telephone: 0300 123 2035
Find out about call charges