Council Tax enquiries, appeals and valuations

Tell your us immediately if you think:

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

You can do this through our online enquiry form.

You must continue to pay your Council Tax bill until our records are updated.

After we have received your enquiry

We will either:

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

There is no requirement to contact us whilst we come to a decision.

What to do if you disagree with our decision

If you disagree with our decision, you can ask us to look at our decision again. If it is still unresolved or if you do not hear anything from us within two months of originally raising the dispute, you can appeal direct to the Valuation Tribunal.

To make an appeal, contact the Valuation Tribunal Service.

When to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal

You can appeal against our decision if you think:

• we are sending bills 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
• we haven't reduced the bill for a disability

There are time limits for appealing to the tribunal. These are:

• two months after we have responded to your dispute
• four months from when you first raised your dispute, if you have heard  nothing from us

The tribunal will ask you to make your appeal in writing, stating which decision you are appealing against, why you disagree with it, or, as the case may be, that the council did not reach a decision. If you and the other parties agree, your case may be dealt with by an exchange of written representations.

Otherwise, the tribunal will get in touch with you to make arrangements for a hearing and will send you a leaflet explaining its procedures in detail. 

Hearings usually last no more than a day. A tribunal hearing will not cost you anything unless you choose to employ a solicitor or other person to present your case. If the tribunal decides in your favour, we will revise your bill and adjust your payments, if necessary.

You must continue to pay the full bill until your appeal is decided.