Council Tax Reduction

If you disagree with a Council Tax Reduction decision, you can ask us to explain or reconsider it. Or, you can appeal to an independent tribunal.

Only a person affected by the decision has a right to appeal. This is either the person claiming Council Tax Reduction or someone authorised to act on their behalf.

If you’d like someone to act on your behalf or have an appointee, you’ll need to give us permission to share information with them.

There are some decisions you cannot appeal against:

• how Council Tax Reduction is paid
• how you repay any Council Tax Reduction you should not have been paid
• which partner in a couple may claim
• how much Pension Credit is used in the decision

Ask for an explanation of a decision

If you disagree with a decision or want to know more you can ask for an explanation of a Council Tax Reduction decision. We’ll write to you to explain how we came to the decision.

Ask us to reconsider a decision

If you think the Council Tax Reduction decision is wrong you can ask us to reconsider it. You'll need to explain what you think is wrong and include any extra information to support your request.

After looking at the decision again, we’ll write to you to tell you if we think the decision is right or if we’ve changed it. 

If we can’t change the decision and you still disagree, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service (VTS).

You must ask us for a reconsideration before you can appeal to the VTS. You must submit your appeal to the VTS within two months of the date of our reply.

If you do not get a reply from us within two months, you can submit an appeal to the VTS.  You must submit your appeal to the VTS within four months of the date of the decision you’re appealing.