Use this guide if you think your home may be in the wrong council tax band, or you have recently moved in. Have your address, your council tax bill and some details about when your home was built or changed ready.
Step by step
Find your current band
Look at your council tax bill or use the official council tax band checker on GOV.UK for England and Wales. In Scotland, bands are set by your local assessor; Northern Ireland uses a separate domestic rates system. Note your band and the valuation date it is based on.
Compare with similar homes
Use the same checker to look up homes on your street that are similar in size, age and type. If most comparable homes are in a lower band than yours, that can be a sign your band is worth reviewing. Make a list of the addresses and their bands.
Understand how bands are set
In England and Scotland bands are based on what a home would have been worth in 1991, and in Wales in 2003. Improvements such as an extension usually only affect the band when the home is sold. Your current market value and your ability to pay are not grounds on their own.
Weigh up the risks
A review can lead to your band going up as well as down, and it can also affect neighbours' homes. Only proceed if you have solid evidence that your band looks out of line. If in doubt, speak to Citizens Advice before you start.
Ask for a review
In England and Wales, ask the Valuation Office, now part of HMRC, to review your band through GOV.UK and include your list of comparable homes. In Scotland, contact your local assessor. Keep a record of what you sent and when.
Keep paying and track the outcome
Continue paying your council tax as normal while the review happens, or you could fall into arrears. If the band is lowered, your council should adjust your bill and refund any overpayment. If you disagree with the decision, the letter will explain whether and how you can appeal.
Ready-to-use checklist
- Current band and bill found
- At least three comparable homes checked
- Understand the valuation date for your nation
- Risk of a higher band considered
- Evidence list written up
- Review request sent and dated
- Council tax payments kept up
- Discounts and reductions also checked
Practical tips
- Check discounts separately: living alone, being a student or having a disability-related adaptation can reduce your bill whatever your band.
- Be wary of firms offering to challenge your band for a fee; you can ask for a review yourself for free.
- Save screenshots of the band checker results, as neighbouring bands can change after a review.
Common problems
Every similar home on your street is in the same band as yours.
A review is unlikely to succeed, so it is usually not worth asking. Instead, check whether you qualify for a discount, exemption or Council Tax Reduction from your council.
You have fallen behind with council tax while waiting for a decision.
Contact your council straight away and ask for a payment plan. Council tax is a priority debt, so get free help from Citizens Advice or StepChange if you are struggling.
Your band was reviewed and went up.
Read the decision letter carefully for any right of appeal and the deadline. Get advice from Citizens Advice before appealing, and set up payments at the new level to avoid arrears.
This guide gives general information, not personal legal, financial or medical advice. Rules and prices change, so check the current position with the official service before acting.
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