Appeal your council tax band
We do not choose which council tax band your home is in. That is done by a government agency called the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). They look at how much homes were worth on 1 April 1991 to decide the band.
If you think your band is wrong and have proof, you can contact the VOA . They might be able to check and change it without you needing to make a formal challenge.
Read about council tax band challenges
If you are unable to use the VOA's online service, you can also contact the VOA by phone on 03000 501 501.
How the VOA value new properties (GOV.UK)
Videos from the VOA for customers
How to ask for a change to your council tax band
You can make a formal appeal to the VOA to change the council tax band of your home if you have just become the person who pays council tax for it.
You can also ask for a change if:
- you think your home’s value has gone up or down a lot (this is called a “material change”)
- you start or stop using part of your home for a business, or the mix of home and business use changes
- the VOA changes your council tax band without anyone asking them to
For more information and to make an appeal, visit the VOA website
Making an appeal does not allow you to stop paying your council tax. You should continue to pay your bill while waiting for the appeal decision.
What happens next
The VOA will make its decision within 4 months and will either:
- change your council tax band - the council will update your bill and change your payments
- tell you why your band cannot be changed
What to do if you do not agree with the decision
If you do not agree with the VOA's decision about your banding appeal, you can ask the valuation tribunal to look at it again.
The tribunal is not part of the VOA. It's free, but you have to pay your own costs. You must appeal within three months of getting the VOA's decision.
If the tribunal agrees with you, the VOA will change your band and the council will update your council tax bill.
Deleting your property from the council tax list
You can ask for your property to be deleted from the council tax list if the property is:
- derelict
- undergoing major renovation
- demolished
Use the council tax proposal form (GOV.UK) to do this.
