Appeal a Council Tax bill or fine

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1. Appeal a bill

Tell your council immediately if you think:

  • your home should not be charged Council Tax
  • the bills are being sent to the wrong person for your home
  • the amount being charged is wrong
  • the council has not reduced the bill even though you think you should be getting a discount or exemption

You cannot appeal just because you think your Council Tax bill is too expensive.

Contact the Valuation Office Agency to challenge your Council Tax band.

How to appeal your bill

Write to your council, saying why you think your bill is wrong.

The council will decide that the bill is either:

  • wrong and send you a new one
  • right and explain why

If the council decides your bill is wrong, you must continue to pay the amounts listed in your original bill until the new bill arrives.

The council has 2 months to reply.

If you disagree with the council鈥檚 decision

If you think the council鈥檚 decision is wrong, or you do not hear back within 2 months, you can .

The Valuation Tribunal is independent of the VOA. It鈥檚 a free service but you have to pay for your own costs.

You must appeal within:

  • 2 months of the council telling you its decision
  • 4 months of you first writing to the council (if you have not had a response)

You may be able to submit a late appeal if you cannot apply in time because of circumstances beyond your control.

If the tribunal agrees with you, the council will update your bill and adjust your monthly payments.

Get help

The Valuation Tribunal has guidance on .

You can also contact the tribunal for help.

Valuation Tribunal
[email protected]
Telephone: 0303 445 8100
Find out about call charges

2. Appeal a fine or completion notice

You can if you disagree with one you鈥檝e received.

You may also be able to appeal a fine.

Appealing a completion notice

You may get a completion notice if:

  • your home is being built
  • you鈥檙e making major improvements to your home

A completion notice tells you the date you must start paying Council Tax, because the council believes work will be completed by then.

You must appeal within 28 days of getting the notice.

Appealing a fine

You can if you disagree with a fine you received for not telling your council about your Council Tax when asked.

You must appeal within 2 months of getting the fine.

You may be able to submit a late appeal if you cannot apply in time because of circumstances beyond your control.

Get help

The Valuation Tribunal has guidance on .

You can also contact the tribunal for help.

Valuation Tribunal
[email protected]
Telephone: 0303 445 8100聽
Find out about call charges

When you should pay

You do not have to pay your fine until your appeal is decided. If you鈥檙e appealing a notice, you need to pay Council Tax from the date on the notice.