2. The amount your local council charges for that tax band.<\/p>\n
3. Whether you qualify for a discount, disregard, or exemption<\/a> from the total bill.<\/p>\n You could also be eligible for Council Tax Reduction<\/a> if you are on benefits or a low income. The new scheme replaced Council Tax Benefit in 2013.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Use the Council Tax appeal process<\/a> if you are challenging your Council Tax band<\/a>. It is for those who think their home got placed in the wrong valuation band.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In some cases your property may get revalued and placed in a different tax banding. Your local Valuation Office Agency (VOA) can give more information about what property changes might affect your Council Tax band.<\/p>\n Some examples could be if:<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: You should contact your local VOA office<\/a> if you keep horses. You may need to pay business rates on horse stables<\/a> unless you use the horses for farming.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Most people who are 18 or over and rent or own a home<\/strong> will have to pay Council Tax.<\/p>\n You can get 25% deducted from your bill<\/strong> if you count as an adult for Council Tax and either:<\/p>\n As a rule you get a Council Tax discount<\/a> of 50% if no-one living in your home, including you, counts as an adult. No Council Tax is due if everyone in your home, including you, is a full-time student (see below).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n These groups of people do not get counted as adults for Council Tax purposes:<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Your local council<\/a> can give further guidance on discounts and who is responsible for paying full Council Tax.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Those on an apprentice scheme need to show that they do not qualify as an adult for Council Tax. You will need a written declaration from your employer stating that:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you get a Council Tax discount by mistake you must inform your local council. Failing to notify them means you could get a hefty fine. The council may also ask you to repay the discounted amount.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You do not have to pay Council Tax if everyone in your household is a full-time student. You should apply for a Council Tax exemption<\/a> if you do get a bill.<\/p>\n To qualify as a full-time student your education course must:<\/p>\n If you are under 20 and study for a qualification up to A level your course must:<\/p>\n If someone in your household is not a full-time student you will still get a Council Tax bill. But, your household may still qualify for a Council Tax discount<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n People with a severe mental impairment are not included when working out Council Tax<\/a>. The same exemption applies if you are a live-in carer taking care of someone providing they are not your spouse, partner, or child under 18.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do you live in a larger property than you would need if you or another occupant were not disabled? If so you may qualify for the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme.<\/p>\n To qualify you will have to show that you have either:<\/p>\n The said property must be the principal domestic home of at least one disabled person. The disabled person can be an adult or a child. Note also that it does not have to be the person who is responsible for paying the Council Tax.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Having a second home, or an empty property, means you may qualify for a Council Tax discount<\/a>. But, it is your local council who makes the decision. In fact, councils can charge extra Council Tax on empty properties.<\/p>\n In most cases you pay less Council Tax on a property that you own or rent if it is not your main home.<\/p>\n Local authorities can give up to 50% discount on furnished holiday homes or second homes. Your regional council will give you more information about getting a discount.<\/p>\n As a rule Council Tax is due even on an empty home. But, you may get a concession from your council. They also determine the amount of discount, if any, on empty properties.<\/p>\n If your home is empty for 2 years or more you may get charged up to 50% extra in Council Tax. Exceptions apply for people in the armed forces and if the empty space in an annexe.<\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> Different rules apply for Council Tax discounts, exemptions, and reductions in Scotland<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are special rules when you sell an empty property on behalf of an owner who has since died. In this case you start paying Council Tax 6 months after you get probate<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are some homes that do not get a Council Tax bill even when they stay unoccupied. These situations include homes:<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: A discount may occur if your home undergoes major repair work or structural changes. An example could be while house walls are being rebuilt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The council will inform you when you must begin paying Council Tax. It will follow situations where you carry out major home improvements. This applies to an empty property or when building a new property.<\/p>\n You will receive a ‘completion notice<\/strong>‘ which informs you the date you must begin paying Council Tax.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A property gets considered as derelict only if it:<\/p>\n You can apply to remove a derelict property from the Council Tax valuation list. You should follow the process for making a formal challenge to the Valuation Office Agency<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are 3 main things your Council Tax bill shows you:<\/p>\n As a rule the cost of Council Tax gets split into 10 monthly payments. Always contact your council without delay if you have trouble paying the bill.<\/p>\n They can often help you repay any Council Tax arrears<\/a> if you have them. They may spread your payments over 12 month installments instead of 10. If you see CR on your bill it stands for credit (e.g. a discount reducing the amount you have to pay).<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: If you fall behind with your payments<\/a> the council can take action to reclaim any debts you owe.<\/p>\n Your Council Tax bill shows you which payment methods you can use. As a rule you can pay Council Tax online<\/a> using the government facility.<\/p>\n In most cases you can also pay using ‘Paypoint’, ‘Payzone’ or ‘Quickcards’ for cash payments. You can pay at banks, post offices, newsagents, and many large convenience stores.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If you overpay your Council Tax you should contact your local council<\/a> if you do not get an automatic refund.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nReasons Your Council Tax Band Might Change<\/h2>\n
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\nWho Has to Pay Council Tax?<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/council-tax-bands.jpeg\")
\nA full Council Tax bill gets based on there being at least two adults<\/strong> living in a home. Spouses and partners who live together are jointly responsible for paying the Council Tax bill.<\/p>\n\n
\nWho Does Not Count as an Adult for Council Tax?<\/h2>\n
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\nPeople on an Apprentice Scheme<\/h2>\n
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\nWhat If You Get a Council Tax Discount by Mistake?<\/h2>\n
\nCouncil Tax Discount for Students<\/h2>\n
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\nCouncil Tax Discount for Disabled<\/h2>\n
\nDisabled Band Reduction Scheme<\/h2>\n
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\nSecond Homes and Empty Properties<\/h2>\n
Second Home<\/h4>\n
Empty Property<\/h4>\n
\nWhen You Do Not Pay Council Tax<\/h2>\n
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\nCompletion Notice for Refurbished Properties<\/h2>\n
\nDerelict Properties<\/h2>\n
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\nPaying Your Council Tax Bill<\/h2>\n
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Ways to Pay Council Tax<\/h5>\n
What If You Have Overpaid Council Tax?<\/h5>\n
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