Council Tax Appeals

How to appeal against your Council Tax bill

If you think your Council Tax bill is wrong tell us as soon as possible.

Remember you must still keep your payments up to date until your appeal is decided.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for valuing all domestic properties. This valuation is used to set your council tax band. You might need to contact the VOA if you think your council tax band is wrong.

You can challenge the banding of your property:

within six months of becoming the person who pays the council tax
if the property has been demolished
if the property is new or has changed to become a domestic property
if the property is now used commercially
if a house has been converted into flats
if more than one property have been merged
if there are physical changes in the area that change the value of the property
within six months of the Valuation Officer changing the band your property is in
within six months of the local Valuation Tribunal, or Court making a band change to a property that is similar to yours
if you’ve made alterations to the property which changes the value
starting or stopping to use part of your property for business reasons

You can find more information and contact the VOA at gov.uk/contact-voa. If you are unable to use the online service you can also contact the VOA on 03000 501 501.

In addition you can appeal to the council Tax section if you think:

we have sent the bill to the wrong person for your home
your home should be exempt from Council Tax
the amount of the bill is wrong, for example if you think you're entitled to a discount or we haven't reduced the bill for a disability

How to appeal

As a first step you should write to us giving reasons why you think your bill is wrong. When you write, include your name and address and say which decisions you don't agree with. We may ask you for more information so we can make a decision.

How to appeal

We may either decide:

that the bill is wrong and send you a new one
that the bill is right and explain why

How to appeal against your Council Tax band

If you think your Council Tax valuation band is wrong, you need to contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

Some companies are contacting residents and offering to do this for a fee on their behalf. Please note that you can contact the VOA direct and this service is free.

They will tell you how your Council Tax band has been worked out. They can review your band if you provide information that suggests it's wrong (eg evidence that similar properties in your street are in a different band).

If they agree your band is wrong, they'll put it right. Your council will then update your Council Tax bill.

The Valuation Officer for Surrey Heath Borough Council, Valuation Office Agency, Durham Customer Service Centre, Wycliffe House, Green Lane, Durham, DH1 3UW

You can view your property and check if you can request a review, by selecting ‘council tax’ on www.voa.gov.uk .

You can contact the VOA using https://www.gov.uk/contact-voa

You can contact the VOA at any time using https://www.gov.uk/contact-voa 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 5:00pm.

Remember you must still keep your payments up to date until your appeal is decided.