Many residents in Essex are finding ways to save money on their council tax bills through successful appeals and adjustments to their property bands
Essex: Hundreds of residents are saving money on their council tax. They’ve appealed to change their property bands, and many have succeeded.
If you think your home is in the wrong band, you can appeal. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will look into it. Just keep in mind, it could go either way. Your band might go up or down.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, over 43,000 appeals were made in England and Wales. Most of them, about 59%, didn’t change their band at all.
In Essex, more than 1,500 people appealed their council tax banding. Out of those, 360 saw their band lowered. Thankfully, no one had to pay more after an appeal.
As councils in Essex announce their budgets, some are planning tax increases. Southend Council wants to raise it by 4.99%. In Basildon, residents might see an extra £65 a year.
Success rates for appeals vary across the country. In Rossendale and Rushmoor, 67% of appeals led to lower bands, the highest in England and Wales.
Wrexham had a 57% success rate, while several areas saw 50% reductions. But in Hounslow, only 5% of appeals were successful.
