Setting up council tax
Every home in the UK is assigned a council tax valuation band. This band determines how much council tax each household must pay, which contributes to public services and maintenance in the area.
What is council tax?
Council tax is a fee almost all UK residents pay to their local authority(the council). The tax is based on the value of your home and the area you live in.
While everyone has to pay Council tax, there are some discounts and exemptions available. For example, full time students are usually exempt from paying, and single occupants receive a 25% discount.
What is council tax used for?
Council tax pays for essential local services, as well as the maintenance of shared public facilities, including:
Police and Fire
The local police and emergency fire services are funded by council tax.
Social Care
Councils provide social care to elderly and disabled residents, as well as children.
Road Maintenance
Your council are responsible for maintaining and repairing local roadways.
Waste Management
Your tax pays for the collection and processing of your waste and recycling.
Parks and Leisure
The tax funds the upkeep of local parks, pools and other leisure facilities.
Libraries
Local library services are paid for through council tax.
Schools and Education
A portion of your local school’s budget comes from Council Tax.
Administration
Your council keeps records of births, marriages and deaths in the area.
How is council tax calculated?
All homes are given a council tax valuation band by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). The band is based on the value of your home on 1 April 1991 – or what it would have been if your property was built after this date.
The band your property falls into determines how much tax you’ll pay. Council tax rates are updated each year on April 1st, the start of the tax year.
What’s my council and what tax band am I in?
If you’re not sure which local authority area you are in, you can check here. If you’re not sure what tax band your property is in, you can  check the council tax band for your property based on your address.
How much is my council tax?
Your Council tax bill will be based on the band your property is and which local authority area you live in.
If you live in London you can find your bill using our handy Council tax bill calculator. All you need is the Borough you live in and your tax band. 
For those outside of London, you will be able to find information on the bill for each band on your Council’s website.
How to register with a local council
Your council will need the following details to register with them when you move into the area:
- Your first and last name
- Your marital status
- Your date of birth
- Your full address
- Whether the property is rented or purchased, furnished or unfurnished
- The names and ages of all adults living with you in the property
- Your UK bank account details in order to set up a monthly direct debit if this is your preferred method of payment
- Your exact move-in date (which may be different from the lease start date)
How long does it take to register?
Registering with your council and receiving your first bill typically takes 4-6 weeks. This can cause delays to things like registering with local schools or applying for restricted parking.
Administration errors, or failing to provide the correct details can delay this process even more. Our team of Connections Experts can handle your registration for free, making sure you get your bills as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Sign up today to get your council tax sorted.
Step 1
Contact your council with the details of your household and new home – or let our team of Connections Experts handle it.
Step 2
Your council will process the move, updating their records for the property.
Step 3
Your welcome letter and first bill will be issued in 4-6 weeks. You can use this to apply for relevant discounts and exemptions, as well as use it as proof of residency.
How do I pay for council tax?
Pay by direct debit
The most common way to pay. Set up a direct debit and your payments will be taken automatically each billing period. You can choose to pay annually, in monthly instalments or in ten payments in the first ten months of the year.
Pay by phone
Some councils accept payment by telephone. You’ll be able to find details of how to pay by phone on your council tax bill, and on your local authority’s website.
Pay in person
If you prefer, you can pay your council tax bill in person by cash or card at a Post Office, bank and certain newsagents or convenience stores. Look for ‘Paypoint’, ‘Payzone’ or ‘Quickcards’ signs for places to pay.
What is council tax used for?
If you’re a student
Full-time UK students are exempt from paying council tax if all other residents in the household are also students. You’ll still need to register, and then provide your council with your account number along with proof of enrolment for every resident.
If one of your housemates is not a student:
If one person living in the house is not a student they are considered a sole occupant and qualify for a 25% discount. If more than one resident is not a student, the whole household is billed for council tax as normal.
If you live alone
Sole occupants receive a 25% discount on their council tax. To claim this, register as usual and then inform your council that you live alone with your account number as a reference. If you rent your home, you may be asked to provide a copy of your tenancy agreement as proof.
If you have more than 1 property:
The single-occupant discount only applies to your primary residence, not any secondary homes. If you own a second home that is not occupied, you can apply to your council for a discount which they may grant at their discretion.
However, your council can also charge you a premium for a second home of up to twice the usual tax, and if a property has been empty for ten years or longer you can be charged up to four times the usual tax.
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