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How to get your council tax reduced or even free – check if you’re eligible
How to get your council tax reduced or even free – check if you’re eligible
Published on January 02, 2023 at 08:14 AM
HOUSEHOLDS could see their council tax bill soar this year â but you might be able to slash yours or pay nothing at all.
Local authorities were given the green light in last year’s Autumn Statement to raise the levy by as much as 5% from April.
Here’s how to avoid a big council tax bill this tear
Local authorities were previously only allowed to raise council tax by 2.99%.
It could mean that the average bill could hit over £2,000 a year next year â the biggest hike since 2018.
It would be a bitter blow for families already struggling to pay the bill â the latest figures show the total amount of council tax debt owed by households across the country stands at £4.9billion.
But missing your council tax bill could land you in trouble â it is considered a priority bill, as not paying it can result in bailiffs, court action or even imprisonment in the worst case.
You can beat the bill blow by applying for a discount â and it could mean you won’t pay a penny.
Here’s the support available â and how to check if you’re eligible.
Council tax discounts
There are a number of discounts you could get, depending on your circumstances.
Factors such as your household income, whether you have children, and if you receive any benefits, will influence what you get.
To apply for any of the below discounts, go through the government website.
You’ll need your national insurance number, bank statements, a recent payslip or letter from the Jobcentre, and a passport or driving licence when filling out the details.
If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill.
This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%.
And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.
A full list of circumstances that exempt you from paying council tax can be found on Citizens Advice.
Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live.
You could also get a deferral if you’re struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.
But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can.
Challenge your band
You might be able to reduce the amount of council tax you pay by challenging your band.
Properties across the UK are put into a band from A to H, and this informs how much council tax you pay.
The bands were created based on property values back in 1991, so many households may find that based on today’s prices, they should be in a different band.
It’s worth checking yours to see if you could get a discount.
First, you need to find out what band you are in.
You can find this out by checking with your local authority or on the postcode checker.
Use the council tax band checker tool to see which band properties along your street are in.
If they are in a lower band than you are, you could successfully make a challenge and get yours lowered.