The government's Valuation Office Agency (VOA) says of the 51,080 cases put forward in 2022-23, 16,110 successfully had their property moved to a lower council tax band. These people will now pay less and likely get a refund for the money they've overpaid.
Here, Which? digs deeper into the data and explains how you can apply for a council tax refund or reduction.
Increase in council tax challenges
The number of people challenging their council tax band in 2022-23 rose by 2% compared with the previous year (49,940).
The proportion of cases that were successful in moving to a lower band also increased from a quarter (26%) in 2021-22 to almost one in three (31%) in 2022-23.
However, not everyone was so lucky. In 2022-23, a total of 60 households saw their bills increase - although that represents just 0.1% of all appeals. The majority of cases (37,710) were unchanged.
These figures may end up being higher once outstanding challenges are resolved.
Find out more:How to query your council tax band
Bands are based on the value of your property in April 1991 if it's in England or Scotland, or April 2003 if it's in Wales. Northern Ireland uses the old system of ‘domestic rates’ which is based on the capital value of a property.
The original valuation might have been wrong or changes could have been made to the property's use or size since its valuation which might alter the band it should sit in. For example, if the property has been converted into flats or part of it has been demolished since the original valuation.
Here are the steps you can take:
Check what your neighbours pay:Check your home's value: Contact the VOA or your local council: Make an appeal:While the risk is very small, bear in mind that a change to the valuation of your home could push you into a higher tax band and, gulp, leave you with an even bigger bill.
Find out more:Other ways to reduce council tax
If you don't think your property is in the wrong council tax band, there may be other ways to reduce your bills, depending on your circumstances and who you live with.
If you live alone, or with someone who isn't counted as having to pay council tax, you could get a 25% discount. Those who are disregarded for council tax include student nurses, full-time students, those under the age of 25 in approved training and members of visiting forces.
These discounts are not applied automatically. If you think you're eligible, you must make an application for the discount and you'll usually have to provide proof.
What if you can't pay your bill?
If you can't afford your bill, contact your local council immediately. There are several ways it may be able to help, including rescheduling your payments, reducing your payments if you're on a low income or claiming benefits and offering 'hardship relief'.
Failing to pay your council tax bill can have serious consequences. If you don't pay after receiving a final notice, then councils can take legal action, including getting your employer to pay your unpaid council tax directly from your wages or sending in bailiffs. If everything else fails, then you can be taken to court and even face prison time.
Find out more:source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/could-you-pay-less-council-tax-aWTio3V3b2jE