Dozens of Denbighshire residents attempted to challenge their council tax bills last year, figures reveal.

Consumer advice website MoneySavingExpert said the financial constraints of the pandemic have made it more important than ever for taxpayers to check if they are overpaying.

The Valuation Office Agency – which gives the Government property valuations and advice – received 60 challenges from Denbighshire residents over their council tax bill in 2020-21 – though this was down from 80 the year before.

Of the 50 challenges which were resolved last year, 20 (40%) resulted in the occupier's council tax bill decreasing, and 20 in no change – though some of these may have been submitted in previous years.

Across England and Wales, 40,620 challenges were launched last year – down from 43,650 in 2019-20.

Of the 38,070 resolved disputes, 11,670 (31%) resulted in the council tax band being decreased – up from 29% in 2019-20.

Just 40 households saw their council tax band increase – though none of these were in Wales.

All homes are given a council tax valuation band by the VOA based on its value in April 2005 – these range from the cheapest band A to the most expensive band I, with band D the most common.

Johanna Noble, money editor at MoneySavingExpert.com, said: "Millions of people saw their council tax bill increase by 5% earlier this year, which was a particularly tough blow for those households already struggling financially due to the pandemic.

"So now, more than ever, it's important to check whether you're inadvertently overpaying – be that because you're in the wrong band or simply not claiming a legitimate discount.

"Thousands have tried and succeeded, and payouts of £1,000s are commonplace."

She added that council tax banding errors are less likely in Wales than England following a 2003 revaluation, though taxpayers can still dispute them.

There are three ways households can contest their council tax, with proposals – formal challenges that do not require evidence – the most used across England and Wales last year, at 57% of all challenges received.

If the VOA rejects this, an appeal (responsible for 7% of challenges) can also be made.

Taxpayers can also bring a potential inaccuracy to the VOA through a band review, though they do not have the right of appeal.

The Institute of Economics Affairs said the council tax system is too vulnerable to "arbitrary" challenges by individual households which can affect a lot of people.

Andy Mayer, IEA chief operating officer, said: "Often one person’s appeal triggers the revaluation of a whole group of homes, leading to further appeals.

"Pandemic restrictions have made this more difficult, leading to a backlog of cases.

"At some point the whole system will need to be rebooted, and potentially replaced."

Following a commitment in its Programme for Government, the Welsh Government said it was considering options on how best to reform council tax to make it fairer for everyone in Wales.