Don't overpay. Check your bill for these common errors.

Receiving your annual Council Tax bill is never fun, but it’s even worse if you suspect the amount is wrong. The good news is that mistakes happen, and they can be fixed. You might even be owed a refund backdated for years.

If something looks off, here are the most common reasons why and the steps you need to take.

Common Reasons Your Bill Might Be Incorrect

k

1. Missing Discounts: The most frequent error is a missing Single Person Discount. If you are the only adult (over 18) living in the property, you are entitled to a 25% reduction. Other disregarded residents include full-time students and some apprentices.
2. Wrong Band: Your home's Council Tax band is based on its value back in 1991. If you think your home is in a higher band than similar properties on your street, it might have been valued incorrectly decades ago.
3. Incorrect Details: The bill might be addressed to the wrong person (e.g., a previous tenant), or it may not reflect that the property is currently empty or exempt.
4. Exemptions Not Applied: Some properties are entirely exempt from Council Tax, such as those occupied solely by students, people with severe mental impairment, or properties that are legally repossessed.

How to Challenge Your Bill

Step 1: Contact Your Local Council (For Discounts & Billing Errors) If the issue is a missing discount (like the single person discount), the bill is in the wrong name, or you think an exemption should apply, you need to contact your local authority directly.

• Write to them explaining why you think the bill is wrong.

• They have two months to reply.

• Crucial: You must continue paying your current bill while you wait for a decision. If they agree you were overcharged, they will issue a new bill and a refund.



Step 2: Contact the Valuation Office Agency (For Wrong Bands) Your local council does not set the tax bands; the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) does.

• You can check your band and compare it to neighbours online at GOV.UK.

• If you have evidence that your band is wrong (e.g., sales prices of similar nearby homes from around 1991), you can formally challenge it through the VOA website.

• Warning: Be careful—asking for a reassessment could result in your band going up as well as down.

Don't Ignore It

If you believe you have been overpaying for years, say due to a missed single person discount, you can ask for the claim to be backdated.

While there's no automatic guarantee, many councils will backdate claims if you have a good reason for not applying sooner.

Check your bill today—it could save you hundreds of pounds.