Blog
Notes on bands, bills, and bureaucracy.
Plain-English guides on council tax bands, the VOA, and what successful appeals actually look like.
May 2025·4 min read
How to spot a wrong council tax band in five minutes
The neighbours test is the simplest, most reliable signal. Here's exactly what to look for and why it works.
Read articleApril 2025·6 min read
Why your 2026 council tax bill is based on a 1991 estimate
Bands were set in bulk over a few months in 1991. Understanding how the valuations were done helps you spot the errors.
Read articleApril 2025·5 min read
What the VOA actually wants in a band challenge
Forget appeals templates from 2010. We break down what successful challenges include — and what gets ignored.
Read articleMarch 2025·7 min read
Anatomy of a £1,500 council tax refund
A real homeowner. Ten neighbours compared. One band moved. Here's how the case was built and what the VOA decided.
Read article