Greenwich Council Tax Reduction Appeal: How to Challenge a Decision

Stage 1: Request a Written Explanation

Before launching a formal challenge, ask Greenwich to explain its decision. Email [email protected] within one month of your decision notice date and request a detailed written statement.

The statement should break down how the council calculated your assessable income, which applicable amounts and premiums were used, and what non-dependant deductions were applied. Often, seeing the workings reveals whether the problem is a calculation error, a missing piece of evidence, or a genuine policy difference.

This step costs nothing. If you spot something wrong — a benefit disregard that was not applied, an incorrect income figure, a non-dependant deduction that should have been exempt — you can point it out and the council may revise its decision without needing a formal review.

Stage 2: Formal Internal Review (Section 16 Grievance)

If the written explanation does not resolve things, you have the legal right under Section 16 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to request a formal internal review.

Submit your request in writing to Greenwich Council. The letter should set out:

• Your name, address, and council tax reference number
• The date of the decision you are challenging
• The specific grounds for your dispute — why you believe the decision is wrong
• Any supporting evidence (payslips, benefit letters, bank statements)

Greenwich has two calendar months to consider the grievance and issue a formal written decision. They can uphold, amend, or confirm the original award.

The council guidance gives a one-month window to request written reasons. Submit the formal review request in writing with your grounds and supporting evidence.

Stage 3: Valuation Tribunal for England (VTE)

If Greenwich maintains its original decision after the internal review — or fails to respond within two months — you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal for England. This is an independent body that is not part of Greenwich Council.

You must lodge your appeal:

• Within two months of receiving the council's internal review decision, or
• Within four months of submitting your internal review request if the council gave no response

The VTE can evaluate whether Greenwich correctly applied its own adopted LCTS scheme rules to your case. It cannot change the rules themselves (the 80% cap, the 25% taper, the £10 non-dependant deduction) — those are policy decisions made by the council. But if the council misapplied those rules, the tribunal can order a correction.

Contact the VTE at valuationtribunal.gov.uk, by phone on 0303 445 8100, or by email at [email protected].

Common Reasons to Appeal

Appeals tend to succeed when they involve factual errors in the council's calculation — income assessed at the wrong level, a disability premium not applied, a non-dependant deduction charged when an exemption should have applied. They are less likely to succeed when the dispute is with the scheme's design rather than its application.

If you believe a non-dependant deduction was wrongly applied because you or your partner receives PIP daily living, DLA care component, or Attendance Allowance, that is a strong ground. If you are disputing the 80% cap itself, the VTE cannot help — that is a council policy decision.

Corporate Complaints Are Separate

If your issue is about how the council handled your application — delays, lost documents, unhelpful staff — that goes through the Corporate Complaints process, not the LCTS appeal route. Submitting a corporate complaint does not freeze or extend the statutory deadlines for an internal review or VTE appeal.

Our Greenwich Council Tax Reduction guide includes templates for the Section 16 internal review request and step-by-step instructions for the VTE appeal process.

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