Council Tax, Can I rent without it?

The band depends on the value of the property. When you are looking for a place, get the full postcode and check here for the band:

http://www.voa.gov.uk/council_tax/cti_home.htm

Then check on the local council's site for the rate they charge for that band.

There are some exemptions or reductions for some people, like students.  A person living on their own also pays a slightly lower rate. 

is there anyone who is excluded from paying council tax? disabled etc..??
also what about a studio flat? what band is that??

More than likely band A - which is the cheapest band in any council (I believe).

Although I lived in a one bedroom flat a few years ago in this same council and it was band A - and the one I am in now is band B.  It has to do with the value of the property at a certain time (I forget the year).  Since my current flat was not in exsistence (it's only 2 years old right now) when they set the banding year - they estimated what it would have been worth in that year.  Thus the higher band.

in my council a single person living alone gets a 25% discount off the yearly council tax.  same countrywide?

in my council a single person living alone gets a 25% discount off the yearly council tax.  same countrywide?

I'm pretty sure that it is.

(I allllways get confused, it is 50 USA states? or 52?

The UKY lynch mob is already heading toward Slough to remind you!     

It's 50 --  Alaska & Hawaii were the last two to gain statehood in 1959 (think of Hawaii Five-O ). 

I think the Yahoo article mentioned that since Labour came to power Council tax has increased by around 50%

More like council tax was at 50% of its current level back then.    Since moving to my present home in 1996, the council tax has more than doubled, and most  parts of the country seem to have experienced similar hikes.

The extortionate rise in council tax over the last few years has riled a lot of people (yours truly included), especially since we're not even getting better services for our money (in fact in many areas they've gotten worse).  Pensioners in some areas have been hit hard, so that a very large proportion of their modest income is now going out in council tax.  The government stated a while ago that it would cap those authorities trying to force through excessive increases, but that's not happened yet.

In my area, we saw two consecutive years with very high increases: In 2002 it went up almost 20%, then in 2003 it was hiked by another 15%.   The rises have eased a little since then --  6.7% in 2004 and 3.1% last year -- but we're still paying far too much for what we (don't) get. 

in my council a single person living alone gets a 25% discount off the yearly council tax.  same countrywide?

Yes, that's in the general rules which apply nationally, as are various other discounts and exemptions.    For example, if you are moving into a home but it will be some time before you start work (i.e. you'll just be living off savings for a few weeks), then you might be able to get a discount or complete exemption for that period.

For any of the discounts though, including the 25% single-person reduction, make sure you notify the council that you intend to claim at the earliest opportunity.   They have time-limits, and if you don't claim immediately the weasels will say that you can get the discount only from the date you contacted them. 

I've even had my local council question a 25% single-person claim I sent in within 14 days.  They said I had to tell them "immediately."      Of course, when you're waiting for them to send out the necessary forms or revised bills, they consider 3 months to be quite reasonable.   

Yes, that's in the general rules which apply nationally, as are various other discounts and exemptions.    For example, if you are moving into a home but it will be some time before you start work (i.e. you'll just be living off savings for a few weeks), then you might be able to get a discount or complete exemption for that period.

Not if you are in FLR - that would be considered public funds.

For any of the discounts though, including the 25% single-person reduction, make sure you notify the council that you intend to claim at the earliest opportunity.   They have time-limits, and if you don't claim immediately the weasels will say that you can get the discount only from the date you contacted them. 

I've even had my local council question a 25% single-person claim I sent in within 14 days.  They said I had to tell them "immediately."      Of course, when you're waiting for them to send out the necessary forms or revised bills, they consider 3 months to be quite reasonable.   

I applied as soon as I knew I was getting the flat - I applied online and was able to get the discount immediately.

It's worth a look to see if the council you are interested is *online* - it makes it much easier.

Not if you are in FLR - that would be considered public funds.

Ah...  I didn't think about how that might affect the situation.  As they call such a reduction "Council tax benefit" I guess they would consider it to be so.     Only in the wonderful whacky world of government can they reduce the amount they're taking from you, but still take money nevertheless, and make it sound as though they're actually giving you something!   

Imagine if you caught me walking out of your house with your TV and VCR, and then I expected you to be grateful when I said, "Tell you what, I'll still take the VCR but I'll let you keep the TV."