More than 10,000 Council Tax challenges resulted in homes being moved to a lower band during the last financial year, according to new government figures.
That could mean lower bills for those affected, and some may also be owed money back for Council Tax they’ve already paid.
But there’s something to be aware of before challenging your own band. It could go up as well as down.
What the latest Council Tax figures show
Figures published by HM Revenue & Customs on 29 October 2026 show that 71,320 Council Tax challenges were resolved across England and Wales between April 2025 and March 2026.
Of those, 10,510 resulted in a lower band, while around 65% ended with no change.
Other challenges involved properties being removed from the Council Tax list, or changes such as properties being split into separate homes.
One figure stands out.
Of the 13,080 informal band reviews completed in England, 4,420 resulted in a reduction. That’s around one in three.
An informal review is when someone asks the Valuation Office to check their band because they believe it’s wrong.
However, this doesn’t mean everyone who asks for a review has a one-in-three chance of success. People need evidence to support their case.
The figures count challenge outcomes rather than necessarily individual households, and the government says the latest statistics are provisional.
How many Council Tax bands were reduced in Yorkshire?
Skint Dad looked through the government’s figures to find out how many challenges resulted in lower bands in different parts of Yorkshire.
Across Yorkshire and the Humber, 900 challenges ended with a band reduction.
Here’s what we found in some local areas:
| Area | Challenges resolved | Bands reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Hull | 180 | 20 |
| East Riding of Yorkshire | 560 | 70 |
| York | 180 | 40 |
| Leeds | 890 | 130 |
The figures have been rounded to the nearest ten by the government.
How much could you save on Council Tax?
That depends on where you live and how much your band changes.
For example, in Hull, a home in band C has an annual Council Tax bill of £2,040.04 for 2026/27.
If that property was moved down to band B, the bill would fall to £1,785.04.
That’s £255 saved over a full year, before any discounts.
A home moving from band E to band D in Hull would save £510 a year at current rates.
And you might get more than just a lower bill going forward.
If your band was wrong in previous years, your council may also owe you a refund for the extra Council Tax you’ve paid.
How much you get back, if anything, depends on when the corrected band takes effect, the Council Tax charges at the time and any discounts you received.
Even if your Council Tax band is correct, you might still qualify for help with your bill if you’re on a low income. Our guide to checking whether you’re missing out on benefits explains where to start, including Council Tax Reduction.
Skint Dad says:
It’s worth taking a few minutes to check whether your Council Tax band is right. After all, nobody wants to pay more than they should.
But finding a neighbour in a lower band doesn’t automatically mean you’re being overcharged. Compare similar homes properly and gather some evidence before making a challenge. It’s free to check, and there’s no need to pay a company to do it for you.
How to check if you’re in the wrong Council Tax band
You can check your band for free, and it only takes a few minutes to get started.
1. Find your Council Tax band
Visit the GOV.UK Council Tax band checker and enter your postcode or address.
You’ll be able to see which band your home is in.
2. Compare it with similar homes nearby
Look at properties in your street or neighbourhood that are similar to yours.
For example, if you live in a three-bedroom semi-detached house in band C, but similar houses nearby are in band B, it’s worth looking into.
Check they’re genuinely similar in size, age, type and design. Just because another house has a lower band doesn’t automatically mean yours is wrong.
3. Gather some evidence
If you find similar properties in a lower band, make a note of their addresses and bands.
For an informal review, the Valuation Office asks for details of up to five comparable properties.
Historic property sale prices may also help if they’re from the relevant period.
Council Tax bands in England are based on property values from 1 April 1991. In Wales, they’re based on values from 1 April 2003.
The Valuation Office warns that estimates from house price websites aren’t strong evidence on their own.
4. Ask for your band to be checked
If you’ve found something that suggests your band is wrong, use the official Council Tax challenge service.
There are two main routes.
If you’ve recently become responsible for Council Tax at your home, you may have a legal right to make a formal challenge, usually within your first six months.
If you don’t have that right, you can still ask for an informal review if you believe your band is wrong and have evidence to support it.
The official service will help you find the appropriate route.
Could challenging your Council Tax band make your bill go up?
Yes, and that’s why it’s worth checking the facts before submitting a challenge.
Of the informal reviews completed in England during 2025/26:
- 34% resulted in a lower band.
- 64% resulted in no change.
- 2% resulted in a higher band.
If the Valuation Office decides your property should be in a higher band, your Council Tax bill could increase.
An informal review can also take up to 12 months, and you won’t normally have the right to appeal its outcome. Formal challenges have different rules and appeal rights.
You must continue paying your Council Tax bill while the review is being considered.
If you’re already struggling to afford your Council Tax, our guide to what to do if you can’t pay your bills explains what help is available and where to get free advice.
