HOUSEHOLDS could see their council tax bill soar next year – but there are ways to get it discounted or pay nothing at all.
Local authorities in England and Wales can hike the tax by as much as 5% without having to call a referendum and it usually rises each April.
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Given the current average Band D council tax bill in England for 2023-24 is £2,065, that could mean a £103 increase for some households next year.
Meanwhile, up to a million could face increases of £360 after a number of councils issued bankruptcy notices.
The hikes would be a bitter pill to swallow for households already struggling to pay their council tax.
The latest figures reveal £5.5billion is owed to local councils just in England.
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But missing payments can land you in trouble as council tax is considered a “priority bill”.
That means not paying it can result in bailiffs being sent to your home, court action or even prison.
But there are ways to get council tax slashed or even for free – and an estimates 2.7million are missing out on the help.
Here we explain what you can get and how to claim.
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Council tax discounts
Local authorities can offer you a discount or wipe your bill completely depending on your circumstances.
Your household income, whether you have children and if you are on benefits will influence what you get off.
You can apply for a council tax discount through the Government’s website.
But bear in mind you’ll need your National Insurance number, bank statements, a recent payslip or letter from the Jobcentre and a passport or driving licence to hand.
If you don’t know which local authority you live in you can check by using the Government’s council locator tool.
Single people
You can get a 25% discount on your council tax if you are the only person living in the home or if you live with other people who are classed as “disregarded”.
Someone is classed as disregarded if they are severely mentally impaired, a carer, in hospital, a care home or hostel, has another main residence or is a student, youth trainee or apprentice.
For example, if one single adult lives with a student, they can get 25% off their council tax.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer, you could get a reduction of up to 50% too.
And, if you live in an all-student household you can get a 100% discount.
Retirees
Pensioners can also get a council tax discount, including those on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit who can get 100% off.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
Meanwhile, a pensioner who lives alone also qualifies for a 25% discount.
Low-income households
Low-income households or those on benefits can also apply for a reduction on their council tax.
Whether you are eligible depends 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.
Always remember though, if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as possible.
That will avoid your situation deteriorating and landing you in trouble.
Challenge your band
You can reduce the amount of council tax you pay by challenging your band, and anyone can do this.
Properties across the UK are put into a band from A to H, which informs how much you pay.
But the bands were created based on property values in 1991, so you might find based on today’s prices you should be in a different band.
You can find what band you are in by checking with your local authority or on the postcode checker.
Use the council tax band checker tool to see which band properties along your street are in.
If they are in a lower band than you are, you could successfully make a challenge and get yours lowered.
You can challenge your band through the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) in England and Wales or the Scottish Assessors Association (SAA) in Scotland.
Gather together evidence showing you’re paying more – this could be having addresses of similar properties to yours in a lower band, for example.
If the VOA agrees that your property is in the wrong band, it will contact you to let you know it will be changed.
But be warned, while you may be moved to a lower band, you could end up going up a band and paying more than before.
If you disagree with the VOA’s ruling, you can appeal your case – but only if you’ve been told that you can when you get the decision.
You must appeal within three months of your decision – to do this, get in touch with the Valuation Tribunal Service.
If the Valuation Tribunal agrees with you, it will get the VOA to change your band – and your bill will change.
What other council tax bill help can I get?
If you’re not eligible for a council tax discount or can’t move bands, there are some other options.
Section 13A relief
You can make an application for what is called “discretionary relief” for your council tax bill by filling out a Section 13A application.
All local authorities must have a Section 13A scheme where a person can request for their council tax to be reduced or written off.
But you will most likely have to prove you are in financial hardship and all other avenues to get money off the bill have been explored.
You can request a Section 13A form from your local council.
Once you’ve sent it to your local authority, you should be told about a decision within 14 days.
Council tax disability reduction scheme
You can get your bill slashed if you or someone in your home is classed as “substantially and permanently disabled” and one of the following applies:
- there’s a room in the property which is used to meet your needs (such as for the purposes of dialysis or the storage of health equipment)
- there’s a second bathroom or kitchen designed to meet your needs
- there’s enough space in your home to allow wheelchair access
If the above criteria is met, your council tax bill is reduced to the next lowest band.
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If you are already in band A, the lowest band, your bill is reduced by a sixth.
You should contact your council about getting this type of reduction.
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
