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Written question asked by Catherine McKinnell (Labour) on Thursday, 23 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 October 2025. It was answered by Dan Tomlinson (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 October 2025 on behalf of the Treasury.

Council Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with Valuation Office Agency on its policy not to review the council tax bandings of multiple properties in one request.

Answer

Council Tax legislation only allows for a formal challenge of multiple properties in exceptional and very specific circumstances, as set in the Council Tax (Alteration of Lists and Appeals) (England) Regulations 2009.

If the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) finds or is alerted to information that suggests that the Council Tax List may be wrong, it will investigate and make corrections if necessary. Once a decision has been made to alter a property’s Council Tax band, the VOA have a duty to consider whether that decision should be applied to other similar properties in the locality and will take appropriate action as necessary.

The VOA is unable to disclose the outcome of any subsequent reviews of neighbouring properties, due to its strict duty to taxpayer confidentiality under the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
84617
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Council tax Tax rates and bands Valuation Office Agency
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk