Frequently asked questions
Common questions about UK council tax bands, VOA challenges, and how EntitledUK works.
How are UK council tax bands set?
Council tax bands were set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) in 1991, based on the estimated open-market value of every residential property in England and Wales at that time. The process was carried out under significant time pressure and at scale — independent valuers assessed millions of properties using limited data, which means errors are not uncommon. Scotland uses a similar system with a 1991 valuation date, managed by the Scottish Assessors. Northern Ireland uses a different system based on capital values.
How do I know if my band is wrong?
The strongest signal is comparing your band to similar properties on the same road or in the same postcode. If comparable nearby properties are consistently in a lower band, it may indicate your band was set too high in 1991. Our tool does this comparison automatically using the public VOA register. Other grounds include: properties that were split or merged since 1991, properties with a material change in character, or a new occupier (within 6 months of moving in).
Can the VOA raise my band if I challenge?
Unlikely, but theoretically possible. If the VOA finds evidence that your band was set too low rather than too high, they could propose an increase. In practice, this is rare — the VOA focuses on whether your challenge has merit, not on reassessing the whole postcode. You can also withdraw your challenge before a decision is issued. Our evidence pack uses careful wording to frame your submission as a review request based on comparable evidence.
How long does a VOA challenge take?
The VOA typically acknowledges your submission within 5 working days and aims to issue a decision within 2–6 months, though complex cases or high volumes can extend this to 12 months or more. You do not need to do anything while waiting — the VOA will contact you. If you haven't heard anything after 6 months, a polite follow-up is reasonable.
Will my neighbours' bands be affected?
No. Your challenge applies only to your property. The VOA does not automatically review or change neighbouring properties as a result of your submission. Any changes to your band affect only your council tax bill.
What evidence do I need?
The most useful evidence is comparable properties in a lower band — ideally on the same road, ideally similar in size and type. Our evidence pack provides a full list of comparable properties from the VOA public register, a band analysis, and a pre-written challenge letter ready to submit. You do not need a surveyor's report for a review request, though one can strengthen a formal tribunal appeal if needed.
How much could I save?
It depends on your council's rates, how many bands you drop, and how far back any reduction is backdated. As a rough guide, each band reduction is typically worth £150–£350 per year depending on your area and your council's rates. A two-band drop in a mid-rate area might save £400–£600 per year. If backdated to when you moved in, total savings can be significant. Our evidence pack includes an illustrative saving estimate based on your specific postcode.
Is there a deadline to challenge?
For most homes, there is no strict deadline — you can request a review at any time. However, backdating is generally limited to the date you moved in or the date you first raised the challenge (whichever is later). New occupiers (within 6 months of moving in) have an additional right to challenge under the 'material change' route, which can be more straightforward.
What if I've just moved in?
If you have moved into a property within the last 6 months, you have an enhanced right to challenge your council tax band. This is called a 'new occupier challenge' and can be a more straightforward route than the standard comparable-evidence route. Our tool and evidence pack are relevant for both routes.
Does this work for Scotland? Wales? Northern Ireland?
The VOA manages council tax bandings in England and Wales. Scotland uses a similar band system managed by Scottish Assessors, but with a different challenge process. Northern Ireland uses a different rates system based on capital values rather than bands. Our current tool and evidence pack are designed for England and Wales. If you're in Scotland, the process is broadly similar but you would contact your local assessor rather than the VOA.
Why are you charging £29.99?
The check is free — you can see your band and comparable properties at no cost. The £29.99 is for the evidence pack: a PDF containing your full comparable analysis, a pre-written challenge letter, a step-by-step submission guide, and a savings estimate. Claims management companies typically charge 25–30% of any saving you achieve, which can mean hundreds or thousands of pounds on a successful challenge. We charge a flat fee so your saving stays with you.
What if I don't want to submit to the VOA after buying?
You are never obligated to submit. The evidence pack is yours to keep and review. If you decide not to challenge, you can request a refund within 14 days of purchase if you haven't yet used the letter or submitted it to the VOA. See our refund policy for full details.
What happens after I submit my challenge?
The VOA will send you an acknowledgement within 5 working days confirming they have received your submission. They will then investigate — reviewing your comparable evidence and assessing your current band. This process typically takes 2–6 months, though complex cases or high volumes can extend this to 12 months. You do not need to do anything while waiting. The VOA will contact you when they have a decision. Continue paying your current council tax bill as normal in the meantime.
Can I challenge if I'm a tenant, not an owner?
Yes. Your right to challenge the council tax band applies to whoever is liable for council tax at the property — which in most rental situations is the tenant, not the landlord. If you pay the council tax bill directly (or it is included in your rent and you are named on the bill), you have the same rights as an owner-occupier. The one exception is where the landlord is entirely responsible for council tax, in which case the challenge right sits with them.
What is the Valuation Office Agency?
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is an executive agency of HM Revenue & Customs. It is responsible for maintaining the council tax valuation list for England and Wales — the official register of every residential property's council tax band. The VOA assigned all bands in 1991 and is the body you contact to request a Review of Band. It operates the public register that we use to check your postcode.
How far back can I claim if my band is reduced?
For a standard comparable-evidence challenge, a successful reduction is backdated to the date you submitted your request. If you are a new occupier and submitted within six months of moving in, backdating may extend further — potentially to your move-in date. This means that delay directly reduces your potential refund. There is no mechanism to claim refunds for periods before your challenge was submitted, regardless of how long the band has been wrong.
What evidence does the VOA accept?
The most effective evidence is a list of comparable properties in your postcode (or nearby) that are in a lower band than yours. These should be similar in size, type (terrace, semi, flat), and location. The VOA also accepts evidence of material changes to the property — such as conversions, demolitions of outbuildings, or structural changes — and evidence that the original 1991 valuation was based on incorrect data. You do not need a surveyor's report for an initial review request. Our evidence pack provides a formatted comparable properties table drawn from the public VOA register.
Is there a time limit for challenging?
For most properties, there is no strict deadline for a comparable-evidence challenge — you can submit at any time. The key constraint is backdating: any refund can only go back as far as the date you submitted the challenge. New occupiers (within 6 months of moving in) have an enhanced right that is worth acting on promptly, as it allows backdating to the move-in date rather than just the submission date. If your property has had a material change of circumstance, you generally have 6 months from the date of the change to submit on that basis.