Council Tax Band Checker
Find the council tax band for any property in England, Scotland, or Wales using the official Valuation Office Agency (VOA) database.
Check a property's council tax band
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) maintains the official council tax band register for England and Wales. You can search by postcode or address.
Search on GOV.UK →Scotland uses a separate system managed by the Scottish Assessors Association. Search on SAA.gov.uk →
How council tax bands work
Council tax bands in England and Wales (A–H) are based on the estimated open-market value of each property on 1 April 1991. This valuation date has never been updated, meaning your band reflects what your property would have been worth over 30 years ago — not its current value.
Each local authority sets a charge for Band D every year. All other bands are calculated as a fixed proportion of that Band D figure. Band A pays two-thirds, Band H pays double.
Scotland uses the same A–H banding system based on 1991 valuations, administered by the Scottish Assessors Association. Northern Ireland does not use council tax — it uses Domestic Rates, a separate system based on the current rental value of a property.
| Band | Fraction of Band D | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| A | 6/9 | 0.67× |
| B | 7/9 | 0.78× |
| C | 8/9 | 0.89× |
| D | 9/9 | 1.00× |
| E | 11/9 | 1.22× |
| F | 13/9 | 1.44× |
| G | 15/9 | 1.67× |
| H | 18/9 | 2.00× |
How to challenge your council tax band
You may be able to challenge your council tax band if you have valid grounds — for example, if similar properties nearby are in a lower band, if the property has been divided or merged since 1993, or if it is used in a different way than originally assessed.
The process in England and Wales is:
- 1Check neighbouring properties on the VOA website to see if they are in a lower band for a comparable property.
- 2Contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to explain why you think your band is wrong.
- 3If the VOA disagrees, submit a formal proposal to have your band reconsidered.
- 4If you are still dissatisfied, appeal to the independent Valuation Tribunal for England or Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How are council tax bands determined?
- Council tax bands in England and Wales are based on the estimated market value of a property on 1 April 1991. Properties are placed into one of eight bands (A–H) by the Valuation Office Agency. Scotland uses the same 1991 valuation date with the same A–H bands, but administered by the Scottish Assessors Association.
- Can I challenge my council tax band?
- Yes. If you believe your property is incorrectly banded — for example because similar neighbouring properties are in a lower band — you can challenge your band for free through the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) in England and Wales, or the Scottish Assessors Association in Scotland. Be aware that a challenge can result in your band being increased as well as decreased.
- What is the cheapest council tax band?
- Band A is the lowest council tax band and applies to the smallest properties or those with the lowest 1991 valuations. Band A properties pay two-thirds of the Band D rate set by the local authority.
- Is council tax the same everywhere in the UK?
- No. Each local authority sets its own Band D rate each year. Two properties in the same band but in different council areas can have very different council tax bills. Northern Ireland does not use council tax at all — it uses a separate system called Domestic Rates.
- Does my council tax band change if I extend my property?
- Not immediately. Council tax bands are generally only reassessed when a property is sold. At that point, the Valuation Office Agency may re-evaluate the band taking into account any improvements. Extensions and alterations do not trigger an automatic revaluation during your ownership.