How to Appeal Your Council Tax Band (2026 Guide)

If you believe your council tax band is too high, you have the right to challenge it. The process is straightforward, but there are important things to know before you start — including the risk that your band could go up instead of down.

This guide walks you through the entire appeal process for 2026, from gathering evidence to receiving your refund.

Before You Appeal: Do Your Homework

The single most important thing you can do before challenging your council tax band is research. A well-evidenced challenge is far more likely to succeed, and thorough research will also help you avoid the risk of your band being increased.

Here's what to investigate:

Compare With Neighbours

The strongest evidence for a band reduction is showing that comparable properties nearby are in a lower band. "Comparable" means similar in these ways:

• Property type: Detached, semi-detached, terraced, flat, maisonette
• Size: Number of bedrooms and overall floor area
• Age and condition: As of April 1991 (the valuation date for England and Scotland)
• Location: Same street or very close by

Use TaxBandCheck to instantly compare your property with others in your postcode. If most similar properties are in a lower band, you likely have a strong case.

Check 1991 Property Values

Council tax bands in England and Scotland are based on property values as of 1 April 1991. If you can find evidence of what your property or similar ones sold for around that date, this strengthens your case considerably.

Sources of historical property data include:

• Land Registry records: Available online, though records from before 1995 are patchy.
• Local estate agents: Some have historical records going back decades.
• Local newspapers: Property advertisements from 1990-1992 can sometimes be found in library archives.

Understand the Band Thresholds

For England, the 1991 value thresholds are:

• Band A: Up to £40,000
• Band B: £40,001 – £52,000
• Band C: £52,001 – £68,000
• Band D: £68,001 – £88,000
• Band E: £88,001 – £120,000
• Band F: £120,001 – £160,000
• Band G: £160,001 – £320,000
• Band H: Over £320,000

If your property's 1991 value was close to a band boundary, there's a higher chance it could have been placed in the wrong band.

The Challenge Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Contact the VOA (Optional but Recommended)

Before making a formal challenge, consider calling the Valuation Office Agency on 03000 501 501. You can discuss your property and banding informally. The advisor may be able to tell you whether a challenge is likely to succeed.

This step is optional, but it can save you time and help you gauge whether your evidence is strong enough.

Step 2: Submit Your Challenge Online

You can formally challenge your council tax band through the GOV.UK website. You'll need:

• Your property address
• Your current council tax band
• The band you believe is correct
• Your reasons for the challenge (this is where your evidence goes)

When writing your reasons, be specific. Don't just say "I think my band is too high." Instead, reference specific comparable properties:

"My property at 14 Oak Road is a 3-bedroom semi-detached house in Band D. However, numbers 10, 12, 16, and 18 Oak Road — all 3-bedroom semi-detached houses of similar size and construction — are in Band C. I believe my property should also be in Band C."

Step 3: The VOA Reviews Your Case

After you submit your challenge, the VOA will:

1. Acknowledge your challenge within a few days.
2. Review the evidence — they may inspect your property, check comparable properties, or request additional information.
3. Make a decision — typically within 2 to 3 months.

During this review, you continue paying council tax at your current band. If the band is reduced, you'll receive a backdated refund.

Step 4: The Decision

The VOA will write to you with their decision. There are three possible outcomes:

1. Band reduced: Your band is lowered to the one you requested (or possibly even lower). You'll receive a backdated refund.
2. No change: The VOA confirms your current band is correct. No further action needed.
3. Band increased: The VOA decides your band is actually too low and increases it. This is the risk you need to be aware of.

The Risk: Your Band Could Go Up

This is the most important thing to understand about challenging your council tax band. When the VOA reviews your property, they're not just checking whether your band should go down — they're checking whether it's correct in either direction.

If they determine your property is worth more than your current band suggests, they will increase it. This has happened to a small but significant number of challengers.

To minimise this risk:

• Do thorough research first: Only challenge if multiple comparable properties are in a lower band.
• Don't challenge if you're borderline: If your property could go either way, it may be better to leave things as they are.
• Consider using a specialist: Experienced council tax claims companies know how to assess the risk and will typically only take on cases they believe are strong.

If Your Challenge Is Rejected

If the VOA decides not to change your band and you disagree, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. This is a free, independent body that will hear your case.

The Valuation Tribunal process involves:

1. Submitting an appeal within 3 months of the VOA's decision.
2. Providing your evidence in writing.
3. Attending a hearing (usually informal, lasting 30-60 minutes).

The tribunal will make a binding decision. Again, they can increase your band as well as reduce it, though this is rare at tribunal stage.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

From initial challenge to resolution:

• Simple cases (clear comparable evidence): 2 to 4 months
• Complex cases (limited comparables, borderline values): 4 to 8 months
• Cases going to tribunal: 6 to 12 months

Tips for a Successful Challenge

1. Use as many comparables as possible — one property in a lower band isn't enough. Five or more similar properties strengthens your case enormously.
2. Focus on the strongest comparables — same street, same property type, similar size.
3. Be factual, not emotional — the VOA responds to evidence, not complaints about how much council tax costs.
4. Include photos if relevant — especially if your property is smaller or in worse condition than higher-banded neighbours.
5. Check your property description — sometimes the VOA has incorrect details (wrong number of bedrooms, wrong property type). If so, mention this in your challenge.

Start With a Free Check

Before investing time in a formal challenge, spend 2 minutes checking your property with TaxBandCheck. We'll compare your band with your neighbours and give you a clear indication of whether your band looks right or whether it's worth investigating further.

If we flag your property as potentially overbanded, you'll have the confidence to proceed. If your band looks correct, you'll have peace of mind — and you won't risk an unwanted band increase.