Council tax

Council tax is something local authorities often get wrong and, with over £2,500 per year difference between band A (the cheapest) to band H, it is well worth checking you’re paying the correct amount. You are only allowed to challenge your council tax band within six months of purchasing a new property. In reality, most local councils will allow you to at any time. The council tax system is very archaic and is based on what the value of your property would have been on 1st April 1991. Now, obviously, many houses won’t have even been built in that year so the way to work it out is a ‘reverse inflation’ calculator. You don’t need to be Carol Vorderman to do this as there are plenty of free calculators on the internet. Once you have the nominal value your property would have been worth in 1991 you can check what band it falls into. These bands are nationally set and you can check these on the gov.uk website or with your local council. If your property calls into a lower band you can challenge the local council and get it rebanded. However, they reserve the right to move your property up the banding scale if the calculations don’t work in your favour. Therefore, be sure the math works out before submitting the appeal. To challenge your banding you can email or call the Valuations Office, but it’s easier to submit a form online. Just go to gov.uk/challenge-council-tax-band. It can take up to two months to receive the outcome. If you’re successful you’ll be moved to the new banding and also receive a refund for up to six months. Local authorities will have a council tax team so give them a call because, in my experience, they are very helpful. It’s also important to speak to your local authority as rules on empty properties and second homes can vary between them. You can use the government website to apply for single person discount too. If you are the only adult living in the property, or you live with young adults in full time education, you could receive up to 50% off your tax bill.