Simple Question to Your Neighbour Could Slash Your Council Tax Bills

• Over 27% of council tax band challenges succeed, saving households big.
• Talking to your neighbour could reveal if you’re paying too much.
• Check eligibility and learn how to apply for a council tax band reduction.

Thousands of households could save a small fortune on their council tax bill, potentially slashing costs by thousands of pounds, just by asking their neighbours a simple question about their council tax band. The trick lies in determining if your band is outdated and challenging it if so.

According to Government data, in the last financial year, more than 27% of households that challenged their tax band managed to lower it successfully. But consumer expert Martyn James advises a cautious approach: "If you live in a similar-sized property, have a casual chat with next door about what council tax band they are on. You could be paying more than you need to."

Properties are categorized from bands A to H (A to I in Wales) based on 1991 valuations, which could mean many homes are now in the wrong bracket. A successful challenge can not only reduce your future payments but also refund overpayments for years.

One Success Story Martina Brannigan, 26, managed to cut her bill from £197 to £162 per month by moving from band E to D. She also received a refund for previous overpayments, which she used to lower future bills even more.