Money Problem: How to challenge your council tax band - and the big risk that will infuriate your neighbours
A reader turned to our Money team for help after his council tax bad changed. Here we explain how to challenge the decision and the risks it involves.
Wednesday 21 May 2025 15:38, UK
Every Tuesday our Money blog team answers your Money Problems. You can email yours to moneyblog@AG百家乐在线官网.uk.
Today we are tackling this one sent to us by Dan...
I've jumped from Band B to Band E council tax band - my neighbours with similar or bigger houses are mostly D. I've appealed the decision as I've just bought the property but what would the criteria be for my band to be revised?
Thank you for the question.
There are clear structures in place allowing people to challenge their council tax band - but it comes with risks.
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What are the grounds for an appeal?
Let's start by looking at why people can challenge their band if, like you, they're in England or Wales (people in Scotland can find out how to challenge via the Scottish Assessors Association )...
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) for England and Wales accepts appeals on the following grounds:
- Your house has been overvalued - you'll need proof here, such as the sale price;
- Like in your case, neighbours with similar or bigger homes are in lower bands;
- There's been a change to the property (ie some of it has been demolished or it's been converted into flats), or the surrounding area since the original valuation;
- You haven't extended your home, or made significant improvements, that would justify a band shift;
- The valuation is wrong due to a legal decision on another property;
- The property details are wrong or incomplete.
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How to gather evidence
The first thing to do is check what band your neighbours with similar properties are in. You could ask them or check the VOA or SAA websites.
You then need to look at the valuation. Your council tax band is based on your property's value in 1991 in England and Scotland, and 2003 in Wales - and you'll need to gauge this even if your property wasn't built at the time.
These valuations were hardly robust - how do you value every home in a country at speed? - hence why people still often find themselves in an incorrect band.
There are a few steps to this. First, if you've just bought the house, you have an up-to-date valuation - or you get information from sites such as Rightmove and Zoopla.
Once you have an idea of the current valuation, you can use tools such as the to discover the valuation in 1991 or 2003.
Which band does this old valuation put you in according to this table...
How to appeal
If you think your original valuation is wrong, it's now time to go to the VOA or SAA to state your case.
If you think your band has changed since the initial valuation, you need to go to your local council.
Making improvements to your property won't increase your council tax - but the band could change upon sale. This can also happen if the property is subject to a new lease for more than seven years.
Top tip: you can check if a home you are buying is pending a band review on the VOA's council tax list.
Helpfully, the government website has a step-by-step guide to appealing in England and Wales .
Risks
You could lower your band through a review - but Dan and others beware: assessors could also find your property, and potentially those of your neighbours, are undervalued.
Your council tax bill(s) would then go up.
This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about. Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute via:
- Or email moneyblog@AG百家乐在线官网.uk with the subject line "Money Problem"