When to request a Council Tax review
If your property has changed or seems incorrectly banded, you may have the right to request a Council Tax review. This process allows you to challenge the band assigned to your property and potentially reduce your Council Tax payments.
How council tax bands are determined
In England, properties are placed into Council Tax bands based on their value as of 1 April 1991. In Wales, the valuation date is 1 April 2003. These bands reflect the estimated market value of the property at that time, not its current value.
Legal grounds for challenging your council tax band
You can make a formal challenge, known as a proposal, if certain conditions apply. These include:
- You have paid Council Tax for less than six months.
- The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) changed your band within the last six months.
- Your property or surrounding area has undergone significant changes, such as structural alterations or redevelopment.
If you meet one of these criteria, you have a legal right to challenge your council tax band.
Submitting a band review without legal grounds
Even if you don’t qualify for a formal challenge, you can still request a band review. To do this, you must provide supporting evidence. This might include:
- Sale prices of similar properties around the valuation date.
- Up to five comparable properties in lower bands that match in type, size, age, and location.
You can submit your request online, by phone, email, or post. During the review, you must continue paying your Council Tax.
What happens after you submit a review
The VOA may take up to six months to respond to a legal challenge. For informal reviews, the process can take up to twelve months. If you made a formal proposal, you may appeal the decision. Appeals are not allowed for informal reviews.
Council Tax band reviews in Scotland
If you live in Scotland, you must use the Scottish Assessors portal. This site allows you to check your council tax band and submit a proposal if needed.
