| If you believe your council tax band is wrong, you | | | | liable person who has died |
| should contact the Valuation Office Agency on 0845 | | | | To complain you must write to your local authority. |
| 602 1507 as many enquiries can usually be sorted | | | | Your local authority should reply to you in writing within |
| quickly on the phone. | | | | two months. |
| There are cases where the VOA may want to | | | | If their decision is not what you expected, you can |
| review your tax band. If this is the case they will | | | | appeal against it to the valuation tribunal. If for any |
| usually write to you and communicate their decision to | | | | reason your local authority does not reply to you within |
| you within two months. Please note if your home is | | | | two months, you can appeal directly to the valuation |
| already in the lowest band, band A, then the VOA | | | | tribunal without waiting for your local authority to reply |
| cannot lower this any further. Likewise if your home is | | | | to you, as long as you appeal within four months of |
| in the highest band, band H, the VOA cannot increase | | | | first writing to your local authority. |
| this any further. | | | | There are certain types of appeals the valuation |
| There may be times, although unlikely, when you would | | | | tribunal cannot hear about, such as why you have not |
| like to apply to have your band changed. This must be | | | | paid your council tax or appeals about your Council |
| done formally and is called making a proposal. | | | | Tax Benefit. They also cannot appeals about the level |
| You are able to make a proposal within six months of: | | | | of discount your local authority has decided to set for |
| - becoming a new council tax payer on a property | | | | any second homes or any long-term empty homes. |
| - the VOA notifying you of any band changes | | | | These levels of discounts can only be challenged in the |
| There are other cases in which you are able to make | | | | High Court by a judicial review. We highly recommend |
| a proposal, such as: | | | | you seek the legal advice of a professional before |
| - if your property has been demolished | | | | taking one of these cases. |
| - if substantial changes have occurred in the locality | | | | The valuation tribunal |
| which has affected the value of your home as at April | | | | If you have complained to the VOA or your local |
| 1991 | | | | authority about any of the issues we mentioned above |
| - your property has been changed to become | | | | and you are not happy with the decision you have |
| adaptable for someone with a disability | | | | received, then you can escalate the matter by writing |
| If you are considering making a proposal, the first step | | | | to the valuation tribunal. The valuation tribunal is an |
| is to contact the VOA and ask them to send you a | | | | independent body consisting of usually three members |
| proposal form, which you will need to complete and | | | | who will hear your appeal. Appeals are free of charge |
| send back. Alternatively, you can complete the form | | | | and do not attract a fee. |
| online on the VOA website. | | | | Although appeals are free of charge, they do have |
| If you disagree with the VOA's decision on your | | | | time limits within which you must lodge your appeal. |
| proposal, you can legally appeal to an independent | | | | When the valuation tribunal receive your letter they will |
| tribunal. | | | | send you a letter of acknowledgment and will include |
| For more information about council tax banding, please | | | | more information about the appeal procedure. |
| visit the VOA website. | | | | In the next step, you will receive a notice of hearing |
| Other complaints about council tax | | | | and you will get at least four weeks' notice. We highly |
| If you have a complaint regarding something other than | | | | recommend you attending the hearing in person to put |
| your tax band, you can complain to your local authority | | | | your case forward. It is possible for you to write to the |
| if there is a dispute about: | | | | valuation tribunal and ask for your case to be put |
| - whether or not someone is a liable person- including | | | | forward without you being there- although they will |
| any disputes about someone who is jointly liable | | | | make the final decision. If English is not your first |
| - a property which you may believe to be exempt | | | | language and you have problems with the language |
| - whether or not a discount applies | | | | which you believe may affect your case, an |
| - whether or not the disabilities schemes apply to you | | | | interpreter can be provided for you. They are also able |
| or not | | | | to meet other needs such as if you are disabled or |
| You can complain if you are: | | | | have mobility problems. |
| - a liable person- or someone who is jointly liable | | | | If you want to make a council tax complaint or want |
| - someone who is an aggrieved person- this also | | | | to appeal to the valuation tribunal, we highly |
| includes someone who is directly affected by the | | | | recommend you seek professional advice from |
| decision, such as; an administrator of the estate of a | | | | specialists such as the Citizens Advice Bureau. |