Home Page >
Council Tax, Benefits and Housing >
Council Tax >
Register for Council Tax >
Council Tax Billing FAQ's
Home
Council Tax Billing FAQ's
Who has to pay the Council Tax?
There is one council tax bill for each dwelling, whether it is a
house, bungalow, flat, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat, and
whether it is owned or rented.
To work out who has to pay for your home (or “dwelling”), look
down the list in the box below.
As soon as you reach a description, which applies, to someone in
your home, they will be responsible for the bill (and will be the
“liable person”).
Description of who is responsible for paying Council Tax
- A resident leaseholder (this includes assured tenants under the
Housing Act 1988)
- A resident freeholder (so for owner-occupied property the owner
is liable)
- A resident statutory or secure tenant
- A resident licensee
- A resident
- The owner (this applies where the dwelling has no
residents)
What is a resident?
A “resident” is a person of 18 years or over who lives in the
dwelling as their only or main home.
This means that owner-occupiers or resident tenants (including
council tenants) usually have to pay the tax.
If the property is empty, or it is no-one’s main home, the owner
is responsible for the bill.
Whether a property is treated as your main home will depend on a
number of factors, such as how much time you spend there and
whether it is your family home. You cannot have more than one main
home for council tax purposes.
Does each liable person get his or her own bill?
Your council may send the bill to just one of the liable people,
to some of them, or to all of the liable people. If you are jointly
liable you should ensure that the whole bill is being paid. Even if
you have paid your ‘own share’ of the bill, the council may still
seek to enforce payment of any balance outstanding from you.
What happens if I move?
The council tax is worked out on a daily basis. If you move home
you may stop being the liable person for your old home, and may
become the liable person for your new home. You should inform the
council about your move so that they can make adjustments to your
bill. This is especially important if you move to a new
Council area as you may be due a refund, depending on the method
you used to pay the council tax and how much has already been
paid.
How much will I pay?
Your local council sets the council tax. The amount set depends
on how much it and certain other public bodies in your area spend
and how much money they get from elsewhere. The amount you have to
pay (before any reductions) also depends on which valuation band
your home is in. The lower the value of your home is the less you
will pay. There is a separate leaflet which explains how properties
are valued and what this means for your council tax bill.
When will I get my bill and when will I have to pay?
You will receive your council tax bill in March. Bills are sent
by post. The bill will tell you the amount you have to pay and how
that amount has been worked out. The bill will also set out the
amount of each instalment and the dates on which each one should be
paid. Normally, you will be offered ten instalments, although that
number will be reduced if the bill is issued after the end of
April.
What if the bill is wrong?
If you think the bill is wrong in any way you should tell the
council immediately. Unless you make other arrangements with the
council, you must continue to pay the amounts set out in your
original bill until you are sent a revised bill.
What if I have trouble paying the bill?
As soon as you realise you have a problem paying your bill you
should talk to your council; you may be entitled to a reduction in
your bill, for example, through council tax benefit. The council
may also be able to help you by rescheduling your payments. But do
not ignore the bill completely; if you do not pay it and fail to
agree in writing any other arrangement with the council, they may
take recovery action which could increase considerably the amount
you have to pay.
What if I can't pay the amount on the
Reminder/Final Notice/Summons?
If you are having difficulty paying, please contact us a the
Council Tax Office and we will try to
come to an arrangement for payment with your. We can also advise
you of ways in which your Council Tax can be reduced.
You have sent me a Summons and I want to make an arrangement to
pay it off. Why do I still have to pay the costs?
By law, costs are payable when a liability order is obtained.
Once a summons has been issued, the only way to stop the Council
from asking for a liability order is to pay the full amount before
the hearing. Even when an arrangement is made, the Council still
has to obtain a liability order, but we will not take any of the
actions which it allows us to take as long as you keep to the
arrangement we have made with you.
Why do I have more Council Tax to pay than my
neighbour/friend/relative?
Because of the Data Protection Act, we cannot discuss someone
else's bill with you. However, there are a number of reasons why
you may have different amounts to pay;
- Your property's band may be higher
- They may be receiving a discount or a reduction for
disabilities
- They may be getting Council Tax Benefit or Second Adult
Rebate
- They may have moved in part way through the financial year so
they are not paying for the full year.
I was getting Council Tax Benefit but it has stopped. Why?
The most common reasons why benefit is stopped are;
- You have stopped getting Income Support and have not filled in
a standard claim form for Council Tax Benefit;
- You no longer qualify for it because your income or
circumstances have changed;
- Your have not returned a review form which was sent to
you;
- You have moved house and have not filled in a new claim form
for your new address.
What if I don't pay?
If you miss a council tax instalment you will get a reminder
notice giving you seven days to bring your council tax payments up
to date. If you do not do so within the time allowed, or if after a
second reminder you fall behind with your payments again, you will
have to pay the outstanding balance of your council tax bill (ie.
the full amount for the rest of the year). If the balance is not
paid, the council will start recovery action.
What can I appeal against?
You can appeal if you think:
- You are being sent council tax bills but are not the liable
person;
- Your home should be an exempt dwelling;
- The amount of the bill is incorrect, for example if you think a
discount should apply or if the council has not reduced the bill
for a disability.
You should first write to the council giving reasons for your
complaint. The council has two months to make a decision. If you
disagree with the council’s decision, or it has not acted within
the two months, you can appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.
Council Tax discounts
Discounts for Council Tax
Bills you will be able to find out more information on
what type of discounts are available and what effect they would
have on your Council Tax bill.
Council Tax exemptions
Exemptions from paying Council
Tax will provide you with further information on what type
of properties may be exempt from the Council Tax charge and for
what periods of time.
Redbridge news
Find out about things that are happening in the borough.
