Council Tax - Frequently asked questions

If you are 18 years old or over then yes, you still need to register for Council Tax so we know who is living in the property. Once you have registered, you can then apply for student discount or exemption. 

However, check your letting arrangement as the landlord may be responsible for the Council Tax bill in some circumstances, such as a multi-let property or House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) and so will be the one notifying us. Find out more about letting arrangements and Council Tax

If there is a change to your household, use our online form to tell us. 

You will be liable for Council Tax from the start date of your tenancy and up until your tenancy end date.

You may be able to claim a discount if the property is let empty and unfurnished. This can be awarded for one month only from the date the furniture was removed.

If the property has been empty and unfurnished when your tenancy began then part or even all of this discount may have been used and no discount will be available and the full charge will apply.

Normally, your Council Tax bill is split into ten monthly payments (instalments), payable from April to January. If you would like to change to 12 monthly instalments, you can request this by contacting us.

The annual charge can be paid monthly on the 1st, 8th, 15th, or the 23rd. If you need to change this, you will need to contact us.

We will then post a letter to confirm arrangement within 15 working days.

If you manage your bill online, you can find a copy of your bill here. This is a basic version of the form, containing all the essential information from the bill. If you need a copy of your bill on official headed paper to use as proof of address, we will need to post this to you. Contact us

You can manage your own Council Tax account by registering with us. When registered you will be able to easily pay your bills; view and manage your account online.

Manage your Council Tax online

If you think your council tax band is wrong, you should first contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) on 03000 501 501. Many enquiries can be sorted out on the spot. 

Find out more information about what to do if you think your Council Tax band is wrong.

Adult Social Care precept

For Adult Social Care authorities, Council Tax bills show two percentage changes: one for the part of the overall change attributable to the adult social care precept and one for the part attributable to general expenditure. For more information please see Council Tax bands

Band A

* Includes a precept to fund Adult Social Care, a three per cent increase on the previous year.

Band B

*Includes a precept to fund Adult Social Care, a three per cent increase on the previous year.

Band C

* Includes a precept to fund Adult Social Care, a three per cent increase on the previous year.

Band D

* Includes a precept to fund Adult Social Care, a three per cent increase on the previous year.

Band E

* Includes a precept to fund Adult Social Care, a three per cent increase on the previous year.

Band F

* Includes a precept to fund Adult Social Care, a three per cent increase on the previous year.

Band G

* Includes a precept to fund Adult Social Care, a three per cent increase on the previous year.

Band H

* Includes a precept to fund Adult Social Care, a three per cent increase on the previous year.

If you are on a low income or getting benefits, you may be entitled to Council Tax Reduction.

Council Tax Reduction is applied to your Council Tax account and will reduce your Council Tax bill by the amount we calculate you can receive (this will depend on your income and circumstances).

Find out about Council Tax Reduction and how to apply.

Residents have recently been receiving fraudulent calls where they are told that they are entitled to a Council Tax refund.

They have been asked to pay an administration fee immediately over the phone. Unfortunately, these residents don’t hear from the fraudster again.

We will never phone you and ask you to pay an overpayment administration fee.