Council Tax Reduction

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Not sure if I'm being daft here but I can't seem to find the answer to what seems like a simple question!

Can I find out the amount of CTR that I'd be entitled to before I move to a new place?  I've noticed a few of the places that I can now afford rent on are in band B rather than A, and would like to know exactly how much extra council tax I'd have to budget for.  I've tried the .gov site but that just directs me to the council website, and the council website just gives the option to apply for CTR, rather than 'quoting' for it.

leeCal

Does zoopla show you the council tax amount? If so you might zoopla for properties in the postcode area if you know it and find out like that?

janer1967

Hi 

Each council has its own council tax reduction rate its not the same everywhere so I doubt you can find this out unless you maybe give the council a call I dont know any other way to find out unless local CAB know 

O

poppy123456

Although all local councils have their own rules, a benefits calculator will work out what you're entitled to. They are usually quite accurate providing you put all your details into it correctly. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=8001afbc-5279-428d-85ca-c2869218a2f3

woodbine

Our area discounts CT by 90% 2 miles down the road a different council discounts by 70%, it can be very confusing. As poppy says you can use a benefits checker, or you can just phone the new council and ask.

leeCal

Sorry @OverlyAnxious I got the wrong end of the stick, ooops.

OverlyAnxious

Thanks all!

Not as simple a question as I thought then.  Once again Poppy has the answer though! 

Looks like I'd need to budget for an extra 24p per week for a Band B property in my area...think I can probably stretch to that! 

Works out as 90% reduction btw.

poppy123456

All local councils were given extra money because of Covid19 so all those claiming council tax reduction were entitled to more reduction, which meant those people on low income meant their bill was reduced to zero, mine was. Band A in my area is usually about £10 per month for me, which includes a 25% single person discount.

Something to be aware of is that bills are likely to increase from April 2021. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-confirms-500-million-hardship-fund-will-provide-council-tax-relief-for-vulnerable-households

OverlyAnxious

poppy123456 said:

All local councils were given extra money because of Covid19 so all those claiming council tax reduction were entitled to more reduction, which meant those people on low income meant their bill was reduced to zero, mine was. Band A in my area is usually about £10 per month for me, which includes a 25% single person discount.

Something to be aware of is that bills are likely to increase from April 2021. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-confirms-500-million-hardship-fund-will-provide-council-tax-relief-for-vulnerable-households

Yes, mine is also zero this year and as I pay monthly, I was refunded for what I'd already paid too!

The benefits checker that you linked gives the actual figure, and not the current subsidised figure, so that's a useful guide for next year and is exactly what I was after.