How Long Does a Council Tax Appeal Take?

Council Tax Appeal Timeline: What to Expect

Challenging your council tax band is a straightforward process, but it does take time. Understanding the timeline helps you set realistic expectations and plan accordingly.

Here's the typical timeline from start to finish:

Week 1: Preparation and Submission

Before submitting your challenge, gather your evidence. Use our free checker to identify comparable properties, note any band discrepancies, and prepare your case. Submit your challenge online through the VOA portal.

Weeks 2-4: Acknowledgement

The VOA will acknowledge receipt of your challenge, usually within 1-2 weeks. They'll assign a caseworker and begin their review.

Weeks 4-8: VOA Review

The VOA reviews your evidence and conducts their own assessment. They may:

• Compare your property with others in the area
• Request additional information from you
• Arrange a property inspection (sometimes, but not always)
• Review 1991 comparable sale prices

Weeks 8-12: Initial Decision

The VOA will contact you with their initial assessment. Three possible outcomes:

• Band reduced — they agree your band should be lower. Your council is notified and will process the refund.
• No change proposed — they believe your band is correct. You can accept this or escalate.
• Band increase proposed — rare (5% of cases). You can withdraw your challenge at this point.

If Escalated: Valuation Tribunal (Months 4-12)

If you disagree with the VOA's decision, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. This is an independent body that will hear your case. Tribunal hearings typically happen 3-6 months after you file your appeal, and a decision follows within a few weeks.

Factors That Affect How Long It Takes

Complexity of Your Case

Simple cases with clear comparable evidence are resolved fastest. If you can show that three identical terraces on your street are Band B while you're Band C, the VOA can often decide quickly.

VOA Workload

The VOA processes tens of thousands of challenges each year. During busy periods (often after council tax bill increases in April), processing times can be longer.

Quality of Evidence Submitted

Submitting strong, well-organised evidence from the start significantly speeds up the process. Include:

• Specific addresses of comparable properties in lower bands
• Why these properties are comparable (same type, size, age)
• Any 1991 sale price evidence if available

Important: Keep Paying Your Council Tax

While your appeal is being processed, you must continue paying your current council tax bill. Failing to pay can result in penalties and legal action, regardless of any pending appeal.

If your appeal is successful, any overpayment will be refunded. Your council will automatically calculate what you're owed and arrange the refund.

How to Get Started

The first step is checking whether you have grounds for an appeal. Our free postcode checker compares your band with your neighbours in seconds — giving you the information you need to decide whether to proceed.

If you find evidence of misbanding, the entire process from submission to decision typically takes 2-4 months. The potential refund of thousands of pounds makes it well worth the wait.