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Reducing Your Council Tax Bill
Council tax is a yearly charge made on households within the UK. Any property that may be considered a dwelling is liable for this tax, including flats, houses, bungalows and maisonettes. Houseboats and mobile homes are also liable for council tax if the owners use them as their main home. The income raised from council tax payments goes toward local services, such as police, schools, libraries and street cleansing.
The amount of council tax paid by each household will vary depending on the value of the dwelling and whereabouts in the UK you reside, as each local council sets its own rate of council tax. There are eight bands ranging from A to H and each household will be placed into a particular band, with the lowest property values in band A and the highest values in band H.
With the current recession, many householders are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the annual cost of council tax, which has more than doubled in the last ten years. The average bill runs into hundreds of pounds and continues to increase at an alarming rate so it's wise to check if you are entitled to any discounts.
Are you exempt?
It's only necessary to pay the full amount of council tax if there are two or more adults living in your household. A 25% discount is available for those living on their own or for those who are the sole adult in the family.
Homes used as student accommodation are exempt from having to pay any council tax. However, if there is a non-student adult living in the home, only a 25% discount will apply. You must fill out a student registration certificate to avail of this reduction otherwise a bill will be sent. Forms can be picked up from universities. If there is more than one person living in the home who is in full-time employment, the council tax bill must be paid in full.
Council tax discounts are also available to those with severe mental illness and to full-time carers. If your house has undergone renovations, such as a downstairs bathroom or bedroom due to an occupant having a disability, you may be eligible for a council tax rebate.
If you are a pensioner who lives alone, is on a low income or has a disability you may be entitled to a discount on council tax. However, this discount will not be automatically applied so it's important to get in touch with your local council and explain your circumstances to find out if you are indeed eligible.
Council Tax Benefit may be an option for some people. This is a means tested benefit and will therefore depend on your age, your income and any savings you have. Those on a very low income may be entitled to a 100% discount, meaning they don't need to pay any council tax at all. If you have savings of above ?16,000 you normally won't be eligible to claim unless your income is less than 105 GBP per week for single people and 160 GBP for married couples.
Anyone owning a second home will be charged 90% of the amount due in council tax, no matter how much or how little time they spend in the property.
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