How do I pay my council tax for the first time?

How do I pay my council tax for the first time?

To pay Council Tax, contact your local council. They’ll register you and send you a Council Tax bill. They’ll also tell you how and when to pay. If you move to a new property or to a new area, tell your local council or tell the council for the new area you’ve moved to. Council tax law states the landlord, not the occupiers, must pay the Council Tax bill. The rent charged to the occupier can include an amount towards the Council Tax. The amount included is a private matter between the landlord and the occupier and doesn’t involve us. If you ignore Council Tax arrears, it’s likely your council will take you to court quickly to get all the money at once. You’ll have to pay court costs and possibly bailiff fees as well as your debt, which can add hundreds of pounds to your bill. Council Tax is charged on properties that are unoccupied, unfurnished or undergoing major works. Unoccupied properties, uninhabitable properties undergoing repair and newly constructed properties do not receive any Council Tax discount. This is classed as a short-term let, so the property owner would be liable for paying council tax if the stay is less than six months. Although, if you rent out the property for more than 140 nights, you’d need to pay business rates instead. Empty and unfurnished properties If the property remains empty and unfurnished after one month, the full council tax becomes due and you will have to pay the full charge.

What months do you pay Council Tax?

Council tax bills should be sent out in April. You’re usually asked to pay in 10 instalments. You have the right to ask to pay in 12 instalments instead. Local councils might accept weekly or fortnightly payments. You’ll usually have to pay Council Tax if you’re 18 or over. A full Council Tax bill is based on at least 2 adults living in a home. Spouses and partners who live together are jointly responsible for paying the bill. If you’re 18 or over and live in a home you own or rent you will need to pay Council Tax, unless: the owner lives in the property. you and others living in the property have separate tenancy agreements. you are exempt from paying. Households where everyone’s a full-time student do not have to pay Council Tax. If you do get a bill, you can apply for an exemption. To count as a full-time student, your course must: last at least 1 year. Anyone who withholds payment of their Council Tax, will have recovery and enforcement proceedings taken against them, which could incur additional costs. In cases of wilful refusal this could lead to committal proceedings or even a prison sentence as in Manchester Magistrates court v McKenzie (2015) case.

How council tax works?

Council Tax is an annual fee your local council charges you for the services it provides, like rubbish collection and libraries. Normally you pay it in 10 monthly instalments, followed by two months of not making any payments. How much Council Tax you pay depends on: your personal circumstances. If you pay your Council Tax in 10 instalments, then you can look forward to a break in your bill in February and March. These are traditionally the two months of the year when you don’t pay Council Tax – but it depends on which kind of payment plan you have set up with your council. International students attending a full-time course Being in the UK on a visa does not exempt you from paying council tax. If you rent private accommodation, you are liable to pay the council tax in the period leading up to the start of your course and once you complete your course even if your visa ends after this. Many households will be entitled to the rebate. You’ll be eligible if your property is in Council Tax bands A to D. This property must be our sole or main residence. You’ll be eligible even if you don’t pay any Council Tax because you’re on a local Council Tax Support scheme. People who live in a property as their main home have to pay the council tax for that property. We define you as a resident if you are 18 years old or over and live in a property as your main home. The cost is usually split into 10 monthly payments. Contact your local council immediately if you’re having trouble paying – they can help you, for example by spreading your payments over 12 months instead of 10.

Why do we pay Council Tax?

Council tax is the local tax which helps councils pay for the services they provide. We use the money collected for council tax to maintain roads and street lighting, for services such as street cleaning and rubbish collection and for things like ‘Meals on wheels’. You’ll usually have to pay Council Tax on a property you own or rent that’s not your main home, such as holiday homes. Your council can decide to give you a discount – it’s up to them how much you can get. Contact your council to ask about a discount. Your council can ask a magistrate for a ‘liability order’ if you owe them unpaid Council Tax. This is a legal demand for payment. The council’s legal costs, eg for hiring a lawyer, may be added to the money you owe. You’re allowed to go to the court and give your reasons for not paying if you want. The average council tax per dwelling will be £1,493 in 2022-23. The illustrative average amount per dwelling after the £150 rebate is provided is estimated to be £1,3751. 1 The council tax rebate is a separate payment to households and not part of the council tax levels set by local authorities. If you have a second home which is not your sole or main residence, you may have to pay Council Tax for them both unless you meet certain criteria. You will have to pay the usual Council Tax for the property which is your main home. This will normally be either 100% or 75%, depending on how many people live there. For tenancy agreements of 6 months or longer, tenants are responsible for the council tax bill while they’re living in the property. If they leave the property before their tenancy agreement ends, they will remain responsible for the bill until the agreement ends or another tenant begins a new agreement.

What happens if I don’t pay council tax UK?

Your council can ask a magistrate for a ‘liability order’ if you owe them unpaid Council Tax. This is a legal demand for payment. The council’s legal costs, eg for hiring a lawyer, may be added to the money you owe. You’re allowed to go to the court and give your reasons for not paying if you want. This is classed as a short-term let, so the property owner would be liable for paying council tax if the stay is less than six months. Although, if you rent out the property for more than 140 nights, you’d need to pay business rates instead. Each council has its own rules. You’ll usually have to join a waiting list and you’re not guaranteed to get a property. Ask your council how long you’re likely to have to wait. You can apply if you’re 18 or over (some councils let you apply if you’re 16 or over). Will this affect my credit rating? No, it is not a County Court Judgement. A Liability Order is granted in the local Magistrates’ Court and does not appear on your credit file. People who are disregarded include: full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and youth training trainees. people caring for someone with a disability, who is not a partner, or child under 18. patients living in hospitals, care homes, certain hostels or night shelters. people who have a severe mental impairment. People who are disregarded include: full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and youth training trainees. people caring for someone with a disability, who is not a partner, or child under 18. patients living in hospitals, care homes, certain hostels or night shelters. people who have a severe mental impairment. People who are disregarded include: full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and youth training trainees. people caring for someone with a disability, who is not a partner, or child under 18. patients living in hospitals, care homes, certain hostels or night shelters. people who have a severe mental impairment.

Who is exempt from paying Council Tax UK?

People who are disregarded include: full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and youth training trainees. people caring for someone with a disability, who is not a partner, or child under 18. patients living in hospitals, care homes, certain hostels or night shelters. people who have a severe mental impairment.