How to save money on your council tax bill
The small print of the government's spending review held some bad news on council tax — it's set to rise 5% in each of the next three years, adding £395 to the average Band D tax bill.
This is just the average cost. In those areas with higher charges, the rise will be even bigger. Take somewhere with punchy council tax, like Rutland in the East Midlands. By 2030, Band D council tax might have risen by £576. Plus, if you're in a more expensive home, that 5% rise will be even chunkier. Band H in Rutland could cost £842 a year more by 2030 — taking the total to more than £6,000 a year.
These arrangements have been in place for years. Councils have the freedom to raise tax by up to 5% every year without having to hold a referendum on the subject. In fact, in dire circumstances, the government can bypass the need for a referendum, which is why we've seen councils on the brink of bankruptcy introduce some truly eye-watering tax hikes.
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However, it's far from good news for anyone who has been wrestling with the price rises of "awful April" this year and is facing the prospect of a repeat performance in the years to come. Fortunately, you don't need to take this lying down.
There are a number of discounts available, so check if they apply to you. If you live alone, you should be able to apply for 25% off your bill. If you live with students, they're disregarded for council tax, so there may be no tax to pay. There are also discounts for people with a severe mental impairment like Alzheimer's, full-time carers for people with disabilities on specific benefits, and people on pension credit.
If there's no discount available, you may still be able to pay less if you're in the wrong band. When properties were valued in 1991, they were done in a hurry. Corners were cut, and there were reports of "drive-by" valuations, done from the comfort of a car outside. They've been revalued in Wales since, but even then, it was a speedy business. As a result, some mistakes were made.
Every year there are challenges to council tax bands, and in 2023/24, 27% of them ended with the tax bill being reduced, so it's worth considering whether you could challenge your band. Before you get started, bear in mind that some challenges end in a property being moved up a band — or a whole neighbourhood being revalued — so it's essential to do some research.
Read more: Why Rachel Reeves' spending review may lead to tax rises
The first step is to check you're in the same band as neighbours in similar properties. If they're different, you can keep digging.
Next, you need to find out what your home was worth in 1991. If it was sold around that time, it's easy enough, but if it wasn't, you can use the tool on property site Zoopla to get an estimate. Armed with this, you can check it against the list on the Valuation Office Agency website and see what band you should be in. This will show if you're paying too much, or your neighbours should actually be paying more.
If you think you're in the wrong band, you can contact the VOA, either through the government website Check your Council Tax band - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or by calling them on 03000 501 501.
There have been people who challenged their band and received thousands of pounds in refunds, which could be a welcome boost at a time when council tax is set to cost us thousands more in the coming years.Read more:
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