COUNCIL tax bills will go up in April, in another cost of living blow to millions of people.
Annual council tax bills in England will rise by an average of 5.1%.
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It comes as millions of households already face rising broadband, mobile phone and grocery costs.
If you’re not sure how much you’ll soon be paying, The Sun has created a council tax tool.
You can use it to check how much council tax bills are going up in your area.
Simply select your council and the information will come up.
Check how much your council tax will rise
How much are council tax bills going up by?
The average council tax bill will be £2,065 in 2023-24 – an increase of £99 on the previous year.
The biggest annual percentage rise will be in London, where bills for an average band D property will increase by 6.2%.
While households in metropolitan areas outside London will see bills rise by 5.1% to an average of £2,059.
But largely rural parts of the country will see an increase of 5% to just below £2,140.
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Top tier councils – those responsible for adult and children’s social care – are now able to increase council tax to a threshold of 5% without a referendum.
This includes 3% for core council tax and the maximum 2% for the social care precept.
How can I challenge my council tax band?
Properties across the UK are banded from A to H which dictates how much council tax you should pay.
The bands were created based on property values in 1991, so many households may find that they should be on a different band today.
Luckily, you can challenge your band if you think it’s wrong and recoup any money you might have overpaid.
It’s worth noting, you might be re-banded and have to pay more council tax so think before you rush into making a challenge.
You have to submit your challenge to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) if you live in England or Wales.
You can do this on the government’s website.
Alternatively, you can call the VOA on 03000 501 501 for England or 03000 505 505 for Wales or email on [email protected].
You will need some information to hand when it comes to making your challenge.
This includes giving addresses of up to five similar properties in a lower council tax band in your immediate area.
Plus, you will have to say what type of property you live in, its size, age and style and design.
Bear in mind, the challenging process is different if you live in Scotland.
You should go to the Scottish government’s website for more information.
More council tax support
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 are not sure which local authority you live in, you can check the government’s council locator to find out.
Single people
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.
Retirees
Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too.
Low-income households
If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction in your council tax.
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.
What other bill help is out there?
There is also other help you can get if you’re struggling with other costs.
For example, cash grants are available through the Household Support Fund offered by local authorities.
The fund is worth £421million in total but each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
The vouchers or grants on offer vary by location so you’ll have to check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.
You’ll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help.
Energy suppliers are also offering cash grants to those hardest hit by high energy prices.
You’ll need to contact your supplier directly to see what they offer, what the eligibility requirements are, and how much you can get.
British Gas, E.ON, Octopus and Ovo all offer grants worth hundreds of pounds.
If you’re on a prepayment meter you might be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.
The fuel voucher scheme comes via the Fuel Bank Foundation charity, and it’s offered through a range of organisations, like food banks and Citizens Advice.
The best place to start to find somewhere which can offer you a fuel voucher is by asking your local council – you can find yours via gov.uk by searching your postcode.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
