Guidance

Contact the VOA

Find the answer to your query or how to contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

• From: Valuation Office Agency
• Published: 12 November 2024
• Last updated: 6 October 2025 — See all updates

Before you contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), you should check if you can find the answer to your query in our guidance.

We cannot answer questions about your Council Tax or business rates bill. Contact your local council if you have a question about your bill.

Business rates 

Before contacting us about business rates, you should refer to our guidance on how to:

• check your business rates valuation  

• challenge your business rates valuation

• tell the VOA about a change to your business property

• check the progress of your business rates case

• understand how your property has been valued for business rates  

• complete your rent and lease detail form

• check if you are eligible for business rates relief

Council Tax 

In a typical year, the VOA deals with around half a million Council Tax cases. This year, we are balancing delivery of our existing services with new work, alongside the introduction of a new IT system which will improve service to our customers.

While we have tried to limit any effect on our service, some cases are currently taking longer than usual for us to progress.

We understand the impact that taking longer to provide a decision on your case can have. We’re working hard to reduce this time and we thank our customers for their patience.

The current timescales for band challenges can be found on GOV.UK. The timescales for other types of Council Tax casework are in line with this, including:

• allocating bands to new properties
• splitting and merging properties
• moving properties between the Council Tax and business rates lists

Before contacting us about Council Tax, you should refer to our guidance on how to:

• check your Council Tax band

• challenge your Council Tax band

• remove your property from the Council Tax list due to major works, disrepair or demolition

• request to move your property from paying Council Tax to business rates

• understand how your property has been banded for Council Tax

• find out how to pay your Council Tax bill

• request your property attribute data (PAD)

Self-catering properties 

Tell the VOA you are eligible to pay business rates on a self-catering property.  

Local Housing Allowance   

Find the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates. 

General enquiries  

Use the online contact form to contact the VOA. If you cannot use the online contact form, you can contact the VOA by phone.

Telephone (England): 03000 501 501
Telephone (Wales): 03000 505 505

Monday to Tuesday, 9am to 4:30pm
Wednesday, 10am to 4:30pm
Thursday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm

Media enquiries

Contact the VOA’s press office if you have a media enquiry.

Additional support

Find out how to get extra support from the VOA, including information in an alternative format.

Published 12 November 2024

Last updated 6 October 2025 + show all updates

1. 6 October 2025

   Added information about who to contact for queries related to bills.

2. 25 September 2025

   Further information on Council Tax timescales has been added to the page.

3. 12 August 2025

   Added section for media enquiries.

4. 13 November 2024

   Adding additional self-serve guidance on requesting your property attribute data

5. 12 November 2024

   We have added additional resources for customers requiring additional support.

6. 12 November 2024

   First published.