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;
- Vacant property - Properties that are unoccupied and unfurnished will receive a 100% exemption for a maximum period of one month. Properties that are unoccupied and unfurnished for two years or more will be charged an additional 50% on top of the full council tax. There is no reduction for properties that are unoccupied and furnished.
- Occupied property - where all occupiers are under 18, or full-time students, or members of the armed forces, or severely mentally impaired. Elderly relatives living in an annexe are also exempt.
- Local exemptions - From the 1st of April 2004 there is a 100% exemption from council tax for up to 12 months for any property which has become uninhabitable because of a natural disaster and which needs major building or remedial repairs to make it livable again.
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:
Download our Free First Time Buyers Guide
Recent posts
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has announced a new measure to protect leaseholders in England and Wales from high fees and poorly regulated property management companies.
Saturday 26th September, Andy Burnham announced a new equity loan scheme called “Your First Home”. The scheme, which will be confirmed at next month’s budget, is aimed at first-time buyers looking to purchase a new-build property from a developer signed up to the scheme.
Losing your job or finding yourself ‘between jobs’ is, unsurprisingly, a stressful place to be. Keeping a cool head and taking action is important.
Best UK Mortgage Rates this Week
8 days ago
Here are the lowest fixed mortgage rates of the week, available to first-time buyers, home movers, buy-to-let, and those remortgaging.
Call us for more information: 01628 507477 or email: team@mortgagerequired.com.
Flats 40% cheaper to buy than houses
12 days ago
This price gap between the cost of houses and flats is the biggest it has ever been. Houses are now costing 1.7 times more than a flat, which is 0.4 times higher than 10 years ago
Take a look at our list of houses vs. flats per area.
Are mortgage rates set to increase?
22 days ago
We have seen several lenders increase their mortgage rates over the last couple of weeks. This suggests mortgage rates are likely to rise.
Although nothing is set in stone, lender repricing, rising swap rates, and continued economic uncertainty suggest borrowers should prepare for higher mortgage costs.
AI-altered images put off over half of buyers
24 Aug 2026
According to data from House Buyer Bureau, where over 900 UK homebuyers were surveyed, 54% of people said that they immediately ruled out digitally enhanced property listings.
April Mortgages offer 7x Income Mortgage
13 Aug 2026
April Mortgages - only accessed via a mortgage broker - offers first-time buyers, renters, and home-movers the option to borrow up to 7 times their income on its longer-term mortgages.
More information
Trusted by
