Thousands of residents to see their council tax bills rise by as much as 10% – check how much you’ll pay now
THOUSANDS of households will see their council tax bills rise by as much as 10% from next month.
Councils were given the green light in last year's Autumn Statement to raise the levy by as much as 5% from April.
But some authorities have been allowed to hike bills even more than this - in some cases, by as much as 15%.
Local authorities were previously only allowed to raise council tax by 2.99% - anything higher would have required a local vote.
The amount you'll pay is determined by the local council and depends on which "band" the property you live in falls under.
Your home's band is based on its value - the more expensive the property, the more council tax will be charged.
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Lots of councils have now said how much they will up the cost for residents, but some are still yet to announce it.
For example, most households in Wales should know what their council is doing by now.
Here's a list of councils in Wales that have revealed how much costs will go up:
- Bleunau Gwent Council - 3.5%
- Bridgend County Council - 4.9%
- Cardiff Council - 3.95%
- Carmarthenshire Council - 6.8%
- Caerphilly Council - 7.9%
- Ceredigion Council - 7.3%
- Conwy Council - 9.9%
- Denbighshire Council - 3.8%
- Flintshire Council - 3.5%
- Gwynedd Council - 4.9%
- Isle of Anglesey Council - 5%
- Monmouthshire Council - 5.9%
- Neath Port Talbort Council - 4.5%
- Newport Council - 8.5%
- Pembrokeshire Council - 7.5%
- Powys Council - 5%
- Rhondda Cynon Taff Council - 3.5%
- Swansea Council - 5.9%
- Torfaen Council - 1.9%
- Wrexham Council - 6%
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Other areas across the UK have also revealed how much rates will rise by.
For example, Croydon Council has been given permission to hike council tax bills by 15%.
Aside from Croydon Council's mega 15% hike planned, London councils can increase bills by 10%.
While Plymouth City Council is in talks over a council tax increase of 2.99%.
We've got a list of more councils and how much rates will go up by here.
Check how much your council tax bill will go up by
Keep an eye on your council's website for information on its budget plans for the 2023/24 financial year - that will include information on any rate hikes.
Check which council tax band your property falls under to work out how much the increase will cost you.
You can find your local authority by using the gov.uk search tool.
You'll then be sent a council tax bill in April outlining how much you need to pay.
Residents can choose to make payments over a period of 10 months.
You can also opt to pay instalments over 12 months if you prefer.
What support is available?
Council tax discounts
There are a number of discounts you could get - but they will vary 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 .
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 , 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 .
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 eligible for a reduction on 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.
Challenge your band
You might be able to reduce the amount of council tax you pay by challenging your band.
Properties across the UK are put into a band from A to H, and this informs how much council tax you pay.
The bands were created based on property values back in 1991, so many households may find that based on today's prices, they should be in a different band.
It's worth checking yours to see if you could get a discount.
First, you need to find out what band you are in.
You can find this out 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.
How do I challenge it?
Contact the (VOA) in England and Wales or the (SAA) in Scotland to do this.
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 your band will be changed.
It can take up to two months for the VOA to review your case.
But be warned - challenging your band might not work.
While you could get moved to a lower band and pay less, there's also the chance the VOA could find you're not paying enough.
This could mean you're moved to a higher band - and your neighbours' too.
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 .
If the Valuation Tribunal agrees with you, it will get the VOA to change your band - and your bill will change.
Other council tax bill help
If you're not eligible for a council tax discount - or you can't move bands - there are other ways to get help.
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.
This means councils can reduce or completely wipe off a council tax debt you might have.
A Sun investigation last year found that councils have been wiping clean a record level of council tax debt in recent years over the Covid pandemic.
Nearly £2.7million worth of council tax debts was scrapped by local authorities over 2020/21.
Ask your council for the Section 13A form.
Once you’ve sent your Section 13A application over to your local authority, you should be told about a decision within 14 days.
Check if you've overpaid
Thousands of homeowners have moved house and are unaware they are still paying council tax bills.
A whopping £33.7million is sitting in closed or dormant council tax accounts, according to data analysed by The Sun.
The highest amount owed back was £27,150 to one household from St Alban’s Council.
Larger councils are likely to have a higher amount of unclaimed credit because of the higher number of people living in their catchment areas.
Contact your council if you think you’re owed.
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Many authorities have different procedures when it comes to dishing out refunds.
While some give them out automatically usually, in some cases you have to apply for a refund.