How We Secure Your Refund
From the initial desktop review through to your backdated refund — a clear, end-to-end process managed entirely by us. You don't need to deal with the VOA at any stage.
The Four Stages of Your Challenge
01
Free Desktop Review
We assess your property and the evidence — at no cost to you.
We research your property against historic sales data and comparable homes in your area.
We check whether your band appears consistent with the evidence available at the time of valuation.
If we believe there is a credible case, we tell you clearly. If we don't, we tell you that too — honestly.
There is no charge and no commitment at this stage.
02
Detailed Written Report
We prepare a professionally written report to support your challenge.
Our report sets out the grounds for challenge, the supporting evidence, and the comparable properties we rely on.
Where the evidence warrants it, we arrange a surveyor's valuation — this is included as part of our service.
The report is prepared to the standard required by the Valuation Office Agency.
You review and approve the report before anything is submitted.
A surveyor's valuation is recommended in most cases and is arranged by us at no additional cost to you.
03
Submission to the VOA
We submit and manage all correspondence with the Valuation Office Agency.
We submit the formal challenge to the VOA on your behalf.
We handle all correspondence, queries, and follow-up from the VOA.
You are kept informed at every stage — but you don't need to deal with the VOA directly.
If the VOA requests further information or evidence, we respond on your behalf.
04
You Receive Your Refund
If the challenge succeeds, your council issues a backdated refund.
When the VOA agrees to reduce your band, your local council is notified automatically.
Your council calculates and issues the backdated refund — this can stretch back years.
We invoice for 30% of the refund amount. You keep the remaining 70%.
If the challenge is unsuccessful, you pay nothing. Our fee is contingent entirely on success.
To date, we have not lost an appeal.
One opportunity to challenge
The VOA generally allows one challenge per property. A poorly prepared or premature challenge can close the door permanently. This is why professional preparation matters.
Backdated refunds
A successful challenge results in a backdated refund from the date the challenge is accepted. The sooner you act, the more you can recover.
No Win, No Fee
Our fee is 30% of the refund secured. If the challenge is unsuccessful, you pay nothing. We have not lost an appeal to date.
Official Guidance
The GOV.UK guidance on council tax band challenges sets out when you have a legal right to challenge and what evidence the VOA requires. We recommend reading it — and we're happy to discuss your specific situation before you commit to anything.
Ready to Start Your Free Review?
Call or email us for a no-obligation discussion. We'll tell you honestly whether we think you have a case — before you commit to anything.