Council Taxes

Can someone explain how council taxes work and how the different bands are figured out?  I think it's based on the area and the type of home?  Does this apply to renters as well?  Thanks a lot!

When I looked into this, it was the area and value of the abode.  It applies to everyone, though full-time students can get an exemption.  If you live by yourself, you can get a 25% discount.  I reckon that if your landlord is paying it for you, it is folded back into the cost of the flat (because its a good chunk of change).

There was a website that gave specific amounts for each specific address - it wasn't hard to find doing a google search (I think using terms Council tax band A).

The flat that I am renting (that is the first floor of a 3 story abode) must be valued at less than 40,000 pounds because I am in band A.

It works out to 80 some pounds per month, 72 with my 25% discount.

Not sure if it is paid on a monthly, 3-month or 6-month basis though.... 

The flat that I am renting (that is the first floor of a 3 story abode) must be valued at less than 40,000 pounds because I am in band A.

You need to appreciate that the £40000 valuation you mention is not now. It is the estimated value of the place as at 01.04.91, even if the place had not been built as at that date!

Not sure if it is paid on a monthly, 3-month or 6-month basis though.... 

The bill, as issued by the local council, is payable half-yearly, on 1st April and 1st October. However it is possible to contact the council and ask to pay monthly. Given the amounts we are talking about these days, suspect most households do in fact pay monthly, and mostly by Direct Debit.

Lots more about this on this Government website, where you can even check the banding of a property. If you want to check how much that means you would pay in Council Tax, you will need to go to the website of the council concerned. Its URL would be in the format of www.name.gov.uk , for example www.birmingham.gov.uk .

just a data point with regards to monthly payments- my council sends a bill once a year and splits the yearly council tax into monthly payments, April-February (which you can pay by cash, cheque, card or direct debit).  No payment is due in March, according to our bill- not sure why.

That is right, the council have the power to insist that the monthly payments, their choice, are over 10, 11 or 12 months.

Of course it has cash flow implications for the council, and for all the council tax payers!

If you are eligible for the 25% single-person discount, be sure to claim it as soon as you move in.  The council will not volunteer it as an option, and if you delay in sending in the appropriate claim form they will most likely refuse to backdate it.