What council tax band is this property?

What the bands actually mean

Bands run A to H in England, and they are based on what the property was worth on 1 April 1991 — not on what it is worth now. Nothing has been revalued since. A band therefore reflects the relative value of the property more than thirty years ago, which is why two similar homes on the same street can sit in different bands.

Band D is the reference point councils quote. Band A is two-thirds of band D; band H is twice it. So the gap between the cheapest and the most expensive band is a factor of three, on the same street, for the same services.

Who pays when you rent

In most tenancies the resident is liable, so council tax is yours to pay unless the agreement says it is included in the rent. In a house in multiple occupation the landlord is generally liable instead — which is worth checking, because a room let that quotes an all-inclusive rent may be the better deal once this bill is counted.

Who pays council tax when renting covers shared houses and bills-included lets, and council tax when you move house covers who to tell and when the new bill starts. Renting for the first time? The steps, and what to check before you sign.

Discounts worth claiming

Full-time students

A household where everyone is a full-time student is exempt entirely. Where one adult is not a student, that adult is usually liable with a 25% single-person discount.

Living alone

A 25% discount applies if you are the only adult resident. Certain people are "disregarded" and do not count towards the total, including apprentices, live-in carers and under-18s.

Severe mental impairment

A resident who is medically certified as severely mentally impaired is disregarded, which can mean a discount or full exemption. This is widely under-claimed.

Low income or benefits

Council tax reduction is run by each council with its own rules, so what you get depends on where you live. It is applied for separately from the discounts above.

How the single person discount works, and who doesn’t count as an adult for it.

Challenging a band

You can ask the Valuation Office Agency to review a band if you believe it is wrong — for instance if comparable neighbouring properties sit a band lower.

Be aware that a review can move the band up as well as down, and it applies to the property rather than to you, so a successful challenge raises the bill for whoever lives there next. As a tenant on a twelve-month agreement, think about whether the saving is worth it before you start.