As if there isn’t enough to think about when moving, what to do about council tax when you move out of your house? Council tax pays for our local services like schools, emergency services and waste management. It’s typically paid by whoever occupies a property whether you’re a homeowner or renter.
Council tax isn’t something to ignore. Here’s a guide on what you need to know.
Council tax pays for our local services like schools, emergency services and waste management. It’s typically paid by whoever occupies a property whether you’re a homeowner or renter.
Council tax bands
The UK places each property in a council tax band based on its value. The band dictates how much council tax you’ll have to pay. It’s important for you to find out which band your new property falls into as this will affect your monthly or annual council tax payments.
You can easily check the council tax band of your new property online on the government’s website. It’s a good idea to do this before you move into your new home, so you have a rough idea of what your new council tax bill will be.
Certain situations might make you eligible for a council tax discount or even an exemption, so make sure to check this as well as you might be eligible for any of these.
Do I need to tell the council that I’ve moved out?
Yes! This is important because your council tax might increase or decrease depending on your new location and the size of your new home. The sooner you inform your old and new council, the easier it will be to sort out any changes in your tax bill.
The best time to inform your local council about your move is about a month before your move date. Some councils allow you to do this online, while others may require a phone call or email.
Cancelling council tax when moving out
To cancel your council tax, you’ll need to notify the local council you currently fall under. As soon as your moving date is confirmed, you should do this. You’ll also need to notify them about your new address. The council will then issue a final bill for your old address, prorated up to the date you move out.
If you overpay for the period, you might be entitled to a refund, which the council will arrange. Usually, you can contact your local council online through their website.
Council tax in your new home
You start incurring council tax charges for your new home as soon as you’ve moved in. The timing of when you pay your first council tax bill can vary.
Usually, after you’ve registered with your new local council, they’ll send you a council tax bill. This bill will tell you when you need to start your monthly payments.
What happens if you don’t tell the council?
If you move home and don’t inform your old council, they will bill you for council tax! This means you could end up paying for council tax at both your old and new home for the time they overlap.
You don’t want to be paying more than you need, so let them know as soon as possible, provide any documents they need, and they’ll help sort out your account.
What happens if I cancel my council tax direct debit?
By cancelling a direct debit your payments to the council will stop immediately. So, if you haven’t informed the council, or you still owe money, you risk missed payments and potential penalties as a result.
To ensure correct processing, check with your local council as procedures may vary slightly, preventing unnecessary charges.
What next?
Now that you have the keys in hand, you might be pondering your next steps.
We’ve created an essential moving checklist for you. This list covers everything you should consider after you’ve moved in. It includes all your important reminders, so you don’t miss a trick.
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Last Updated: December 18th, 2023
