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Free council tax appeal letter template

Use this letter to challenge a council tax bill: the wrong band, the wrong liable person, a missing single-person or student discount, or an unfair recovery notice. It creates a dated written record before a valuation tribunal appeal.

Who this letter is for

Challenge your council tax band, liability or a summons for arrears. It is written in the formal register companies, landlords and card issuers expect, and it records the facts, the remedy sought and the deadline in a way that supports any later escalation to an ombudsman or the courts.

How to use this template

  1. 1Decide whether you are appealing the band, the liability or a discount.
  2. 2Find your account number and the date of the decision you are challenging.
  3. 3Download the template and set out your ground in one clear paragraph.
  4. 4Attach a tenancy agreement, student certificate, medical evidence or comparable bands.
  5. 5Keep paying the undisputed amount, then appeal free to the Valuation Tribunal if refused.

What to include before you send it

  • Say whether you are disputing the band, the liability, or a discount or exemption.
  • Quote your council tax account number in the subject line of every message.
  • Keep paying the undisputed amount while the appeal runs to avoid enforcement.

The rights you are relying on

Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council Tax (Alteration of Lists and Appeals) Regulations 2009, and your right to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

The letter template

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Email address] · [Phone number]
Council tax account: [ACCOUNT NO]
[Date]

Council Tax Department
[Council name]
[Council address]

Re: Formal appeal against council tax [band / liability / discount decision] — account [ACCOUNT NO]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to appeal formally against your decision dated [DATE] in respect of the property at [PROPERTY ADDRESS].

The grounds of my appeal are:

[Choose and complete:
- I am not the liable person for the period [DATES] because [I moved out on [DATE] / I am not a resident owner / the tenancy transferred to [NAME]];
- I am entitled to a [single person discount / student exemption / severe mental impairment disregard / empty property exemption] from [DATE], and the supporting evidence is enclosed;
- The property is in the wrong valuation band. Comparable properties at [ADDRESSES] are in band [BAND] and share the same size, type and age.]

I enclose [tenancy agreement / council tax bill / student certificate / medical evidence / comparable property details].

Please review the decision and confirm your response in writing within 21 days. If you do not respond within two months, or you reject this appeal, I will refer the matter to the Valuation Tribunal, which is free to use.

In the meantime I will continue to pay the amount that is not in dispute, and I ask that recovery action on the disputed sum is suspended while this appeal is considered.

Yours faithfully,

[Your name]

Enclosures: evidence as listed above.

Frequently asked questions

Can I stop paying council tax while I appeal?
No. You must keep paying the undisputed amount. If the appeal succeeds the council refunds or credits the difference, but non-payment risks a liability order.
Is the Valuation Tribunal free?
Yes. Appeals to the Valuation Tribunal are free, can be decided on paper, and you do not need a solicitor.

Turn this example into your own formal letter

The £0.59 option creates one formal letter using your names, dates, sums and evidence. The £3.99 Case File also includes an email, evidence checklist, action plan and follow-up notice.

Uses the facts you provide Includes a clear response date
Personalise this letter — £0.59

Or read more about our personalised council tax appeal.

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