Council Tax Band Challenge

sambennett

After seeing MSE forums regarding being in the wrong council tax band I researched mine and was sure I was in the wrong band. I have owned this small flat for 6 years and was in Band B.

I sent this challenge in February 2025 and was told the wait time is 12 months! (already scandalous).

I waited just under 12 months to receive a letter from the Valuation Office Agency stating I was correct and my council tax band should be A, but said the council would be in touch regarding any changes.

It had been 3 or 4 weeks where I hadn't heard from the council so I called them to be told that council tax services had been "temporarily closed" due to them dealing with the new tax year starting in April? so they can't access any information or make any changes.

On top of this!.. I was told this would be a lengthy process (as if 1 year isn't long enough for the council to look into changing my band and issuing a rebate (she carefully said if i'm eligible)

So i'm supposed to continue paying a higher amount than I should be for however many more months???

I'm worried they will try and get out of paying the rebate as i'm planning on moving soon, does anyone have any tips to speed this process up or experience with rebates?

lincroft1710

The VOA and the council are completely separate organisations. When I was in the VOA a wait of up to 6 weeks for councils to process refunds was not unusual. As the 2026/27 bills will be going out soon, the council will soon be able to access their system and process your refund. Just be patient, even if you move, the council will still deal with the refund,

Kim_13

Let's hope they actually bill you for Band A for 2026/27 rather than adding another issue that will need to be sorted. It does seem strange if they can't even access the system to amend the band going forward, as that will mean them wasting money producing and sending an incorrect bill and then having to send another one when they catch up.

Hopefully they're not one of the councils that say they only have 6 years of payment records. If so, then the issue running into another tax year will push the start of OPs ownership out of scope. Would you be able to prove the payments yourself if that were the case (if the council would accept evidence from the taxpayer?)