Think you’re overpaying on your council tax? Then it’s time to find out once and for all. Challenging your council tax band is actually easier than it sounds, and you can do it in three easy steps. Read on, and find out how the process works and what you’ll need.
How do I challenge a council tax band?
Step 1: Find out if you have a case
If you think you are paying too much council tax, confirm your suspicions first. If you have a good relationships with them, ask your neighbours what they are paying in council tax. Or you can find out online, since this information is publicly available.
Step 2: Value check your home
Council tax bands are based primarily on the value of your home at a set date. Currently, the date councils use is 1st April 1991. So, you will need to find out what your home was worth at that time.
You can use the calculator from MoneySaving Expert to do this.
Step 3: Conduct your Challenge
If you’ve done your research and are sure that you’re overpaying on your council tax bill, it’s time to formally lodge your challenge with the UK’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA).
If you live in England or Wales, you can challenge your Council Tax band online. Or you can simply call or email the VOA and inform them of your case. It’s a quick, straightforward process, which will only require some basic personal details, you address and home valuation.
Note that if you live in Scotland, you will need to make your challenge through the Scottish Assessors Association (SAA). After submitting your proposal, they will contact you.
Post challenge: Wait for the resolution
After completing these three easy steps, you just need to sit back and wait for the outcome. According to the Homeowner’s Alliance, nearly a third of people who challenged their council tax band in 2019 were successful. If you do your research, there’s a fair chance that you’ll successfully manage to get your council tax bill lowered. The rate of successful cases is rising as more people check their council tax bands more carefully.
However, do be aware that most challenges are unsuccessful. If this happens, you will remain in the same council tax band. In rare cases, your bill may actually go up. This only happens if the valuation check has wildly underestimated the property’s value in 1991.
Good luck! If you need to know more about council tax bands, check out our FAQ below.
FAQs
What is the meaning of council tax?
Council tax is a form of tax that local councils collect and use to pay for services to the local area. This covers everything from waste collection to road maintenance, street lighting and emergency services.
How much is average council tax in the UK?
Council tax bills vary widely across the UK. The average Band D council tax rate for England for 2022-2023 is £1966 per year.
Does everyone pay council tax?
There are some exemptions for council tax available, mainly for under-18s and students. Find the full list of those exempt from paying council tax here on the Gov.uk site. Generally though, almost everyone must pay council tax on their home.
How is council tax calculated?
Councils work out their tax bands mostly based on the value of your property. You will be assigned to a council tax band, running from A to H, based on your home’s value. The bands run alphabetically from cheapest to most expensive.
What are the different council tax bands?
For 2023-2024, the council tax bands are as follows:
A: Properties worth up to £40,000
B: £40,000-£52,000
C: £52,000-£68,000
D: £68,000-£88,000
E: £88,000-£120,000
F: £120,000-£160,000
G: £160,000-£320,000
H: More than £320,000
Why is my council tax band different to my neighbours?
Your council tax band may be different to your neighbours’ because your home is worth a lot more or less than theirs. Alternatively, there may have been a mistake made on the valuation check made by the VOA.
If your council tax band is much higher from that of your neighbours, it’s worth checking if you have a case to challenge.
Do I still pay council tax when challenging my tax band?
If you are challenging your council tax band, you still need to pay council tax until the challenge is resolved. If the challenge is resolved in your favour, you might be eligible for a refund. You will need to take this up with your local council.
Can my council tax go up if I challenge my tax band?
If you challenge your council tax band, it can go up. This happens if the VOA determines that your home is worth more than they thought it was during the measurement date (currently 1st April 1991). So, be sure that you are being overcharged, rather than undercharged, before you challenge your council tax band.
We hope this is a helpful introduction to council tax bands. If you are challenging your council tax band and need to know more about property taxes, check out our guide sections now.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, landlords and the Government to recognise high performers and help to improve standards in the built environment.
