THOUSANDS of households are set to have their council tax bill frozen later this year.
Councils are allowed to raise the levy by as much as 5% from April.
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Some authorities are looking at hiking it by as much as 15% for residents.
How much more you will pay depends on what council tax band your property is.
Depending on where you live you could end up paying hundreds more a year though.
But not all councils are set to increase rates from April. These are the five that have either confirmed they will be freezing them or have plans to later this year.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, in Hampshire, is set to freeze council tax bills for residents from April.
That means the average household in the area would carry on paying £136.42 a year for the levy.
The proposal is not yet confirmed but is set to be approved at a council meeting on February 23.
You should contact the authority after this date to see if the plans have been approved.
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Harborough District Council
Harborough District Council, in Leicestershire, is proposing to freeze council tax bills for its residents from April.
Again, they are just plans at this stage but are set to be approved on February 27.
Harlow Council
Harlow Council, in Essex, is set to freeze council tax for the 2023/24 tax year.
It plans to continue the freeze into the 2024/25 year.
That means someone living in a band C household would continue to pay £256.36 a year.
The proposals will be voted on at the next council cabinet meeting on February 16 and then debated at the full council meeting on February 23.
Wychavon District Council
Wychavon District Council, in Worcestershire, is set to freeze council tax bills for the sixth year in a row.
The proposals are set to be decided at a full council meeting on February 22.
If approved, it would equate to a £2.7million total saving for residents.
Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council, in London, said it is freezing the city council part of council tax for 2023/24.
It said this means residents will be paying the cheapest Band D rates in the country.
It’s worth noting the freeze does not include the Greater London Authority rates, which may not be frozen.
How can I save money on my council tax bill?
There are ways to get help if you are struggling to pay your council tax.
You can get a council tax reduction depending on your circumstances, like if you are a pensioner, single or a low-income household.
You can apply on the government website.
You could also potentially get your house re-banded if you think you’re overpaying on council tax.
But beware, you might actually be moved to a new band where you’ll have to pay more.
One authority is offering council tax rebates for eligible households too.
Merton Council is set to offer residents a 1% rebate in the coming months.
In other news, millions of people won’t have to pay council tax in February and March.
Plus, we revealed the full list of households who can get a council tax reduction.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
