Over 10,000 households have successfully challenged their Council Tax band and saved a small fortune. If you think your rate is too high, here's how to go about appealing.
Sections
- Council Tax band: how to challenge your rate
- Why your Council Tax band may be wrong
- How to challenge your Council Tax band in England and Wales
- How to challenge your Council Tax band in Scotland
- How to challenge domestic property rate valuations in Northern Ireland
- Is it worth doing?
- Other ways to cut your Council Tax bill
Council Tax band: how to challenge your rate
New figures show over 10,000 households have succeeded in lowering their Council Tax band and therefore their Council Tax bills in England and Wales.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) said it resolved 42,250 challenges between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017.
Of these, 30 households saw an increase in their Council Tax band, 10,670 saw a reduction and 31,550 saw no change.
Why your Council Tax band may be wrong
The amount of Council Tax you pay in England, Wales and Scotland, is based on the value of your property and the band this puts you in.
Band A properties have the cheapest bills while Band H properties (or Band I in Wales) pay the most to their local council.
The problem is these valuation bands are completely out of date.
In England and Scotland, the bands are based on property valuations made in April 1991 while in Wales they’re based on valuations from April 2003.
Northern Ireland still uses the old system of rates based on rental values, which was replaced across the rest of the UK in 1993. But this is just as bad as they are based on January 2005 prices.
But lots of things might have happened since 1993,2003 or 2005 that may have impacted the value of your property like renovations or changes to the surrounding area that means you should be in a different band.
If you think your Council Tax band is wrong it’s worth getting it reviewed.
How to challenge your Council Tax band in England and Wales
How to challenge your Council Tax band in Scotland
How to challenge domestic property rate valuations in Northern Ireland
Is it worth doing?
Getting your Council Tax or Domestic Rate valuation reviewed could help you lower your bill, but bear in mind that it could rise too.
If you think the decision made about your property is wrong you can challenge it.
In England, you can make a formal challenge to the Valuation Tribunal or if you’re in Wales you can send it to the Welsh Tribunal.
In Scotland, you will need to appeal through the local Valuation Appeal Committee for your area.
In Northern Ireland, you can appeal to the Commission of Valuation within 28 days of a decision using the CR20 form and if you aren’t satisfied with its response, take your complaint to the Northern Ireland Valuation Tribunal.
Other ways to cut your Council Tax bill
For other tips on paying less Council Tax, check out our guide How to slash your Council Tax bill.