Check your council tax band (GOV.UK)

Annual council tax charge

In certain circumstances you may be able to appeal against the valuation band your property has been placed in.

This may be where there has been a structural change, part or all of the property may have been demolished or there may have been changes in the locality that may affect the value.

You may also appeal against the banding of a new property.

If you have recently occupied, you have six months from the date you moved in to make an appeal.

We have received enquiries from people who have become suspicious after receiving unsolicited contact from businesses offering to investigate if their property's council tax banding should be lowered in return for a percentage of any potential refund.

It is not illegal for companies to investigate the potential for council tax reductions on customers’ behalf for a percentage of any potential refund, however, any householder has the right to contact the Valuation Office Agency and if they are successful in getting their band lowered they are able to keep the entire rebate.

• You can contact the VOA at any time using to find the relevant details
• If you cannot use the online service, call 03000 501 501. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm

Please note that if you are appealing against your band you must continue to pay your council tax until a decision regarding your appeal has been reached.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for keeping bands up to date in England and Wales.

Many HMOs were originally built as large houses but are now occupied by multiple households. The starting point is that each separately let part qualifies as a separate dwelling with its own band, whether or not it is self-contained. There may be circumstances, however, where the VOA can amalgamate the bands in particular circumstances. Here are some examples of how different types of HMO are banded:

• HMOs with little or no adaptation: Where minor adaptations like door locks are added, and the occupants of the separately let parts share the kitchen and bathroom of the original house, then the VOA can put the whole property into one band
• HMOs with adaptations to each floor: Where each floor of a house let in parts has standard facilities and can be treated as a self-contained unit, then each floor is able to be given a single band. This applies where the occupiers of the floor share a kitchen and a bathroom
• HMOs with adapted letting rooms: Separately let rooms in a HMO may have been adapted, for example, so that they have their own kitchenette or separate shower/bath and WC. They will be given their own band even though may share some facilities. In making a decision, the VOA will look at the degree to which each part has been structurally altered

Further information

If you have a specific query about your circumstances and HMOs, which hasn’t been covered here, if you believe that your band is wrong; or if you believe your household should not be banded at all; please go to gov.uk/council-tax-appeals and follow the links to ‘challenge your Council Tax band’.