Millions of households in England are facing a hefty increase in their council tax bill from April. The amount council tax rises is decided by each local council respectively, but more than 80 have said they plan to raise it by the maximum amount, according to the County Councils Network (CCN).
Councils are allowed to rise bills by a maximum of 4.99 percent without a local vote, meaning people can expect to pay more from April onwards.
However, there are ways some people could potentially cut their council tax bills – but they will need to take action.
Single persons’ discount
If a person is the only individual over the age of 18 living in a home which is their sole or main residence, they could get a discount.
Council tax is usually calculated as 50 percent property tax and 50 percent residential tax.
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Pensioners who do not get Guarantee Credit, but have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings could still be entitled to some help.
The Pension Service and the Pension Credit claim line is likely to be able to provide assistance, as well as a person’s local council.
Live-in carers
Carers who live in the same property as the person they are caring for could get a council tax discount, the charity Turn2Us explained.
The carer will need to provide more than 35 hours per week of care, and the person they are caring for needs to be getting one of the following benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Adult disability payment
- Child disability payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment.
The charity stated it does not matter whether or not someone gets Carer’s Allowance.
However, the person they care for cannot be their husband, wife, civil partner or child under 18.
Britons need to speak to their local authority to ask how to apply for the discount.
Self contained annexe
Those living in a self-contained annexe or ‘granny flat’ could be eligible for a council tax discount.
The rules may vary according to each local council, so it is important to check.
Under usual rules, the annexe must be totally self-contained and separate living area from the main house.
To qualify for a 50 percent discount the annexe must typically be in use by a family member.
