All About Your Council Tax

Who will pay?

The main resident (normally the owner or tenant of a dwelling) is liable to pay the council tax. Couples living together will both be liable. Owners (or tenants) of empty dwellings normally have to pay 50% of the full council tax. There are some exemptions which are listed on Page Five.

How much is it?

The basic amount of council tax will be £1041.50 for the year 2012/2013 if you occupy a Band A property, i.e. a property valued up to £40,000 at 1st April 1991. The council tax will be higher for dwellings with higher values and may also be increased by the local tax levied on behalf of your Parish or Town Council. See our document downloads section for a list of the full charges for 2012-2013

Can my bill be reduced?

YES - the actual amount you pay may be much lower due to one or more of the reductions listed below:

• Benefit (Rebates) - People on low income with small savings can apply for benefit. More details are shown on page Two
• Discounts - People living alone will normally receive a 25% discount on the full council tax bill. More details of the discount scheme including other qualifying circumstances are given on page six.
• Exemptions - There are a number of cases where you do not have to pay any council tax. Details of exempt dwellings are listed on page six.
• Disabled Person's Reduction - There are limited circumstances in which the council tax bills of dwellings occupied by a disabled person may be reduced. You can read more about this reduction on page six.

Further details are shown on page Five or request the free factsheet "Money off your Council Tax" from Welfare Rights Service, FREEPOST, Preston, PR1 8BR.

New tenant or first time buyer

If you have just moved into a property as an owner or tenant you should contact our Council Tax team to let them know.

Change of address or circumstances

You should notify the Council if you move house even if you move within the Borough. You should also tell the Council if you feel you may be exempt or are now not exempt from council tax liability. You should separately notify such changes if you are also informing the Council of similar changes for housing benefit/council tax benefit purposes.

Reminder Notices

The Council may issue reminder notices if your instalment is not paid on or before the due payment date shown on your bill. You must pay any reminder within seven days to prevent any further action. The whole amount on your account will become payable if you fall into arrears with your instalments. You may also incur COURT AND OTHER RECOVERY COSTS.