Council tax bands, charges and appeals

You must continue to make payments in accordance with your existing bill while your appeal is outstanding.

You can appeal against:

• Being held as liable for council tax;

• The calculation of the amount payable e.g. the decision not to award discount or disabled band reduction;

• The decision to class your property as a chargeable dwelling i.e. not exempt from council tax.

If you wish to appeal against any of the above, you must:

Step One

Write to the Head of Financial Solutions, PO Box 9060, Motherwell, ML1 1SH, stating your grounds for appeal and why you consider the decision to be wrong. This letter will be regarded as your initial notification to the council of your grievance.

Step Two

The council has two months to consider your appeal.

If you do not receive a reply within two months, proceed to the next step.

If you remain dissatisfied with the council's response, proceed to the next step.

Step Three

If you are still unhappy or have not heard from the council, you should:

1. Appeal again in writing within four months of your initial letter (Step One);

2. Confirm you wish to appeal to the Valuation Committee;

3. Detail the grounds of your appeal;

4. State the date of your initial letter to the council (Step One).

Step Four

The council will contact the Secretary of the Valuation Committee for an appeal hearing to be arranged.

Step Five

A hearing date will be arranged. You will be notified of the date and time of the hearing by the secretary to the committee.

Step Six

You will be required to attend the hearing where you or your representative will have the opportunity to present your case to the committee, or you can ask for it to be heard on a written submission. The council will also be represented at the hearing.

Step Seven

The committee will consider the arguments of both parties. The secretary will write to you with the outcome.

Step Eight

If your appeal is upheld, your council tax account will be adjusted and a revised notice will be issued. Any credit balance on your account will be refunded or transferred to any other outstanding account.

There is a separate appeals process for the calculation of the amount of benefit payable. If you require further information regarding this, contact your local office.