By If you pay your Council Tax in 10 instalments, then you can look forward to a break in your bill in February and March.
These are traditionally the two months of the year when you don't pay Council Tax – but it depends on which kind of payment plan you have set up with your council.
Some people choose to pay their Council Tax in 10 instalments, while others spread the cost by paying over 11 or 12 months. You'll need to check your direct debit plan, and your bill, to find out whether you're entitled to a two-month Council Tax break.
What Is Council Tax?
Council Tax is a mandatory payment to the local authority that's enforced on all domestic properties across the UK (unless the owner or tenant is exempt). The council uses the revenue generated to pay for local services such as schools, roads, rubbish collection, adult social care, libraries and street lighting. In Scotland, it also includes a charge for water and sewerage.
Who Pays Council Tax?
You'll usually have to pay Council Tax if you're 18 or over and rent or own a property.
A full Council Tax bill is based on at least two adults living in a home. Spouses and partners living together are jointly responsible for paying the bill. However, if you live on your own or no one else in your home counts as an adult, then you'll get 25 per cent off your bill. You may also be able to get Council Tax Reduction (previously called Council Tax Benefit) if you're on a low income or get benefits.
To work out how much Council Tax you need to pay, you'll need to know the valuation band for your home, plus how much your local council charges for that band.
Council Tax Bands
The amount of Council Tax you pay is dependent on the size and value of your property (depending on the price it would have sold for in April 1991), along with the number of people who live there. The council can increase bills annually in line with the cost of services.
There are eight Council Tax valuation bands in England and Scotland, from A to H. Band A is the lowest, while band H is the most expensive. Most people pay band D Council Tax rates. In Wales, there are nine bands, with band one being the highest.
The valuation Council Tax band ranges for England are as follows:
Band A. Up to £40,000
Band B. More than £40,001 and up to £52,000
Band C. More than £52,001 and up to £68,000
Band D. More than £68,001 and up to £88,000
Band E. More than £88,001 and up to £120,000
Band F. More than £120,001 and up to £160,000
Band G. More than £160,001 and up to £320,000
Band H. More than £320,000.
How To Check Your Council Tax Band
The band of every property in England and Scotland is available to access online. In England, you need to use the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and in Scotland use the Scottish Assessors Association (SAA).
You can check if you're paying too much Council Tax here.
Changes That Could Affect Your Council Tax band
There are certain circumstances where your property may be revalued and put in a different band. A few examples are, if...
- you demolish part of your property and do not rebuild it
- you alter your property to create 2 or more self-contained units (e.g. an annexe – each unit will have its own band)
- you split a single property into self-contained flats
- you convert flats into a single property
- you start or stop working from home
- the previous owner made changes to your property
- there are significant changes to your local area, like a new road being built
- a similar property in your area has its Council Tax band changed
In any case, you should ask the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to find out if changes to your property will affect your Council Tax band.
Who Pays The Highest and Lowest Council Tax In The UK In 2023?
The average band D Council Tax bill is lowest in Westminster at around £914, while Rutland pay the highest band D Council Tax with an average of £2,4222, according to PropertyData.co.uk.
Council Tax Exemption
Households where everyone is a full-time student do not have to pay Council Tax. Neither do people under 18, those aged 18 or 19 in full-time education, apprentices, live-in carers, people with severe mental impairments, student nurses, diplomats or foreign language assistants, according to the government website. If you're unsure whether you qualify for an exemption, contact your council.
When Is A Council Tax Bill Issued?
Council Tax bills are issued by your local authority for the financial year ahead on, or near, the start of the new financial year on 30th April.
You can choose whether you pay over 10 months or in 12 monthly instalments. Simply contact your local council when you receive your bill. Please note that some councils will have deadlines for setting up a new payment plan.
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New home gifts: 20 really good housewarming gift ideas
This is a bestseller for a reason. This lovely gift set from The White Company includes the Seychelles signature candle, room spray and diffuser for a home that will smell truly delightful. This scent combines notes of evocative bergamot, bright orange and fresh coconut, with a hint of green jasmine, warming amber and buttery vanilla. Divine!
If you're looking for a practical housewarming gift, you can't go wrong with Smeg. If your recipient has a penchant for sky blue shades (and getting hands-on in the kitchen), then snap up this fabulous blender set for endless uses.
This antique-style candle holder is a brilliant gift for the person who appreciates a good tablescape. They can use it to dress their dinner table or simply style on a sideboard. It's handmade and crafted from high quality chromed steel with a brass finish, which gives it that antique look. Don't forget to buy some taper candles so they can set the scene right away!
This stainless steel map location key holder displays the location of a new home, the address and chosen names. It's a great idea that not only pays homage to a new neighbourhood, but keeps keys safe and in one place!
Is it a vase? Is it a book? This rather beautiful ceramic vase, shaped like a hardback book, is perfect for displaying dried flowers. Decorated like a classic novel with pretty floral details, this would ideally look at home on a bookshelf or mantel.
Championing consciously designed interiors, Nkuku is one of our favourites for quality, crafted pieces that will stand the test of time. A perfect new home gift, this decanter made from recycled glass has a lovely etched detailing on the base. If you've got a generous budget, buy the set of four tumblers to match.
Peonies are fleeting beauties and this lovely coffee table book captures this beloved flower in abundance. Not just for show, inside you'll find photos of blooming peonies alongside fascinating botanical knowledge and an overview of the plant's cultural history by author Anja Klaffenbach. The book series includes succulents, roses, orchids and lilies, so the whole (rather colourful) set would make a lovely housewarming gift for green-fingered types.
This one's a kitchen must-have. Other than chopping up vegetables for dinner, this round acacia wood board is a rustic way to serve up canapés and other tasty treats. Carved by hand in India, it's shaped and chiselled using traditional woodworking techniques.
Buying a housewarming gift for a new plant parent? You can't go wrong with an unkillable bundle. The set includes the cast iron plant, robusta rubber plant and the snake plant.
Make every coffee break a bright one with this cup and saucer set, just like those used across all the Grind cafés. We love the rich red glossy glaze and contrasting white trim on the plate and inner cup. You can choose from espresso (80ml), flat white (180ml) and cappuccino (200ml).
Organisation is key when creating a streamlined home, so we think this Kate Spade letter tray would make the perfect gift. It can be positioned on a console table or desk to collate letters and ensure everything remains in one place.
Even for those who prefer a neutral, pared-back home, the kitchen is an ideal space to introduce colour. We love these vibrant salt and pepper grinders by Alessi (sold separately) that will perfectly transition from a kitchen worktop to a dining table.
Another kitchen essential, budding or keen cooks will no doubt appreciate the viral Always Pan. No meal is off-limits with this colourful duo.
A kitchen staple, you can never have too many tea towels in our opinion. We've added these to the list because any style-conscious lover will appreciate the beauty of William Morris prints!
These glazed pastel stacking heart bowls are simply beautiful. Painted with reactive glazes, each has a distinctive finish which makes it all the more unique.
For the person who loves a scented home, choose from three scents: Black Pomegranate (black), Sea Grass (navy) and Nag Champa (mustard yellow). The set includes a gold foiled presentation box with 15 handcrafted incense sticks.
Give the gift of a lovely new photo frame, perfect for a sideboard or home office. This one's finished with an on-trend scalloped-edge in a glossy mid-blue hue.
Practical gifts will always be appreciated. The perfect home greeting, this rectangular coconut fibre doormat emblazoned with the word 'welcome' is a must-have for a new abode.
This is a brilliant personalised new home gift for cheese lovers. Sure to take pride of place in the kitchen, it can be personalised with a name of your choosing. It's cleverly designed too, with a hidden compartment containing a set of cheese knives.
There are some items that will always have a place in the home, and a versatile bowl is one of them. This one is made from intricately woven black seagrass and finished with a criss cross decorative pattern.
