Challenge to your tax band is free

Bradford Council have issued the advice after a number of people in the district were contacted by a company offering to check council tax bandings on their homes for a fee.

The authority says some companies charge an up front fee which can be around £165 and some also take a percentage of the re-band refund if it is successful, which could be as much as 28 per cent.

Martin Stubbs, assistant director of the council’s revenues and benefits service said: “We are concerned that these companies are not giving citizens the whole picture. If people think that they are in the wrong band for Council Tax they should get in touch with the Valuation Office Agency to check it out for free.”

Ian Greenwood, the council leader said yesterday: “We want to make sure that our residents are not paying for things that they can get for free.”

For more information residents should visit the website www.voa.gov.uk or contact the local valuation office by calling 0113 388 4500.