Bill or band: who handles which question
The Valuation Office says it cannot answer questions about your Council Tax bill. Sending a bill question there, or a band question to the council, can mean a wasted wait.
| Your question | England | Wales | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payments, balance, instalments or what the bill says | Your local council | Your local council | Your local council |
| Which band the home is in | GOV.UK band checker | GOV.UK band checker (also in Welsh) | Scottish Assessors website |
| You think the band is wrong | Valuation Office | Valuation Office | The assessor at your local Valuation Joint Board or council |
Questions about the bill: start with your council
- Find your council's website by entering your postcode in GOV.UK's "Find your local council" service. In Scotland, mygov.scot also lists each council's Council Tax service.
- Look for the council's Council Tax pages. Each council runs its own services for checking your balance and making enquiries.
- Have the bill to hand. It shows who is registered for Council Tax at the home, the amount for the year and how it was worked out.
- Ask the council about payment options. In Scotland, mygov.scot says the cost is usually split into 10 monthly payments and some councils offer 12; ask your council what it offers.
Questions about the band
In England or Wales, look up the home by address or postcode on GOV.UK's "Check your Council Tax band" service. The same service is the route for challenging a band; read GOV.UK's challenge guidance before you start, because it explains when you can challenge and what evidence is needed.
In Scotland, search for the home on the Scottish Assessors website. Challenges go to the assessor based in your local Valuation Joint Board or council, not to the Valuation Office.
This guide does not tell you whether your band is wrong or whether you have a right to challenge it.
Contacting the Valuation Office (England and Wales)
Before contacting the Valuation Office, GOV.UK suggests checking your band and the challenge guidance first.
| How | Details |
|---|---|
| Online | GOV.UK's Valuation Office enquiries page links to the online contact form for homes in England or Wales. |
| Phone, England | 03000 501 501 |
| Phone, Wales | 03000 505 505 |
| Opening times | Monday and Tuesday 9am to 4.30pm; Wednesday 10am to 4.30pm; Thursday and Friday 9am to 4.30pm. Closed on bank holidays. |
Living in Northern Ireland?
Homes in Northern Ireland pay domestic rates, which nidirect says are based on the property's capital valuation. Land and Property Services (LPS) handles rates.
If you need another copy of your rate bill, nidirect has an online form to ask LPS to post one to you. For other questions, use the LPS contact details linked from nidirect.
Common questions
Can the Valuation Office help with my Council Tax bill?
No. GOV.UK says the Valuation Office cannot answer questions about Council Tax bills. Contact your local council about the bill.
What do I need to know to understand my bill?
GOV.UK lists three things: the band for your home, how much your council charges for that band, and whether a discount or exemption applies. Your council can explain how it worked out your bill.
Where do I check a band in Scotland?
Use the Scottish Assessors website. The GOV.UK band checker covers England and Wales.
Official information
- GOV.UK: Valuation Office enquiries
Bill questions go to the council; online and phone contact details and opening times; Scotland and Northern Ireland routes. Checked 8 October 2026.
- GOV.UK: check your Council Tax band
Band lookup for England and Wales, Welsh-language service and the Scottish Assessors route. Checked 8 October 2026.
- GOV.UK: challenge your Council Tax band
Where challenges go in England, Wales and Scotland. Checked 8 October 2026.
- GOV.UK: how Council Tax works
The three things needed to work out a bill. Checked 8 October 2026.
- GOV.UK: find your local council
Finding a council website by postcode. Checked 8 October 2026.
- mygov.scot: paying your Council Tax bill
Scotland: what the bill shows, usual 10 payments, council services and links to each council. Checked 8 October 2026.
- nidirect: a guide to rates
Northern Ireland domestic rates based on capital valuation; LPS contact. Checked 8 October 2026.
- nidirect: request a copy of your rate bill
Online form to have a copy of a rate bill posted. Checked 8 October 2026.