MILLIONS could end up forking out hundreds of pounds more on their council tax after the Government refused to rule out scrapping a key support measure.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner yesterday declined to say whether the single person discount would be dropped.
The discount is available to households with one adult person living inside, or a household with one single adult and others who don’t count as having to pay council tax.
This means if someone is severely mentally impaired, a carer, in hospital, a care home or hostel, has another main residence, or is a student, youth trainee or apprentice.
For example, if one single adult lives with a student, they can get 25% off their council tax.
The 25% single person discount also applies to widows living alone after a partner.
But speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Ms Rayner didn’t guarantee the discount would stay in place.
Tory ex-Minister Graham Stuart called on the Deputy Prime Minister to “guarantee today, put gladness into all their hearts across the country” and not remove the measure.
But she replied: “I find it astonishing that members opposite, after running down the economy in the way that they have, after the Chancellor had to come to this House to talk about the billions of pounds black hole, that they’re now trying to claim that this Government is about raising taxes.
“This Government is about making sure that working people are better off and we’ll intend to do that.”
Given the current average Band D council tax bill in England for 2024-25 is £2,171, scrapping the 25% discount would be worth £542.75 a year.
It comes with millions of pensioners set to lose out on the winter fuel payment after the Government confirmed it would become means-tested.
The up to £300 payment was previously available to anyone over state pension age but will now only be for those on benefits such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit.
It’s not just single people, as it stands, who can get a discount on their council tax.
You can also get money off the priority bill if you meet other criteria, including if you are a household of students.
If you live in household with a carer you can get up to 50% off and sometimes if your home is undergoing major repair work too.
There are a few other ways you can get a discount:
Pensioners can also get a council tax discount, including those on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit who can get 100% off.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
And of course, if you are a pensioner living alone but not on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you can still get 25% off.
Low-income households or those on benefits can also apply for a reduction on their council tax.
Whether you are eligible depends on where you live.
You could also get a deferral if you’re struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.
Contact your local council as soon as possible though as that will stop you from landing in trouble.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
If you’re selling a property because the owner has died, you don’t pay council tax until after probate is granted, as long as the house remains empty.
After probate, you might be able to get a six-month exemption, as long as the property remains empty and ownership hasn’t changed hands.
If you’re not eligible for a council tax discount or can’t move bands, there are some other options.
You can make an application for what is called “discretionary relief” for your council tax bill by filling out a Section 13A application.
All local authorities must have a Section 13A scheme where a person can request for their council tax to be reduced or written off.
But you will most likely have to prove you are in financial hardship and all other avenues to get money off the bill have been explored.
You can request a Section 13A form from your local council.
Once you’ve sent it to your local authority, you should be told about a decision within 14 days.
You can get your bill slashed if you or someone in your home is classed as “substantially and permanently disabled” and one of the following applies:
If the above criteria is met, your council tax bill is reduced to the next lowest band.
If you are already in band A, the lowest band, your bill is reduced by a sixth.
You should contact your council about getting this type of reduction.
If you think your home is in the wrong Council Tax band, then you’ll need to place a formal challenge.
Contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) in England and Wales or the Scottish Assessors Association (SAA) in Scotland to do this.
Gather together evidence showing you’re paying more – this could be having addresses of similar properties to yours in a lower band, for example.
If the VOA agrees that your property is in the wrong band, it will contact you to let you know your band will be changed.
It can take up to two months for the VOA to review your case.
But be warned – challenging your band might not work.
While you could get moved to a lower band and pay less, there’s also the chance the VOA could find you’re not paying enough.
This could mean you’re moved to a higher band – and your neighbours too.
If you disagree with the VOA’s ruling, you may be able to appeal your case – but only if you’ve told this will be possible when you get the decision.
You must appeal within three months of your decision – to do this, get in touch with the Valuation Tribunal Service.
If the Valuation Tribunal agrees with you, it will get the VOA to change your band – and your bill will change.
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