Council tax is a local tax to help pay for local services. These services include police and fire services, upkeep of local roads and street lighting, drainage, etc
The amount of council tax you pay in is graded, dependent on the value of your home. The value of your home is set based on the capital value of your property at 1 April 1991.
The amount of council tax you have to pay depends on which of the eight valuation bands your home is in. The higher value the home, the greater your council tax bill will be.
The bands are set out on the website run by the Borough in which you live in. The exact amount you pay will vary parish by parish because of changes in parish precepts, etc.
Your property’s current banding is detailed on your council tax bill but if you want to check the council tax property band you can check it on the Valuation Office Agency website.
There are various exemptions that apply to council tax. They are;
If you are the single occupier of a property then you are currently entitled to a 25% reduction in your council tax bill. If you are a tenant on a limited income you may be entitled to help towards paying your annual council tax bill. Council tax support is means-tested, which means it is calculated by taking into account your income, capital and household circumstances.
For full details of what support you may be entitled to visit your borough's website.
Related articles:
Yesterday
Almost one in five equity release mortgages are now taken out to provide financial support to family.
3 days ago
According to industry data, the expected wait for those looking to buy a property has dropped from just over 11 months to less than six months.
It is common for your first mortgage payment to be higher than your subsequent monthly payments for two reasons.
8 days ago
Firstly, a big congratulations, you’ve now exchanged contracts! After weeks and months of waiting, you are about to move in. What should you do first?
The chancellor will deliver her second budget this autumn. Due to slow economic growth and high inflation, the government need to manage a £40 billion shortfall in public finances. There have already been reports about changes to taxes including income tax and capital gains tax.
29 Aug 2025
The chancellor has advised that landlords could have another tax to pay this autumn as the Treasury decide whether to extend national insurance contributions to rental income.
According to a report in the Guardian, senior ministers have asked Treasury officials to look into a “proportional” property tax to see how it would work as an alternative to the existing stamp duty land tax on owner-occupied homes.
More than a quarter of UK adults in long-term relationships (26%) have reported that despite living together, they keep their finances separate from one another.