How Are Council Tax Bands Set in Wales?
Updated: April 2026
The 2005 Revaluation
Wales is the only UK nation to have revalued council tax bands since the system was introduced in 1993. The Welsh Assembly Government commissioned a full revaluation in 2005, rebasing all property values to 1 April 2003. This exercise was carried out by the Valuation Office Agency using a combination of automated valuation models and manual assessments.
Why 2003 Values?
The 2003 base date was chosen to provide a more current snapshot of the Welsh property market. By 2005, the original 1991 valuations were 14 years out of date. The revaluation aimed to correct inconsistencies and ensure bands reflected relative property values more accurately.
How the VOA Assessed Properties
The VOA used automated valuation models based on Land Registry sales data, supplemented by manual checks for unusual properties. Around 1.4 million homes were reassessed. Despite being more sophisticated than the original 1991 exercise, errors still occurred \u2014 particularly for properties that differed significantly from their neighbours.
Why Errors Persist
Extensions built after 2003, local market shifts, and properties that were incorrectly modelled during the automated assessment all contribute to ongoing banding inaccuracies. If your home has changed since 2003 or if comparable neighbours are in a lower band, your band may be wrong.
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