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Council Tax in London: bands, bills and discounts
Council Tax is a local household bill. The property band, borough and who lives with you all affect what you pay.
Find the property band
Use the official valuation service before signing a tenancy and confirm which bills, if any, are included in the rent.
On this page
Understand responsibility
A resident owner or tenant usually pays, but the order of liability changes for some shared homes and special arrangements.
Check reductions
Single-person discounts, student exemptions and local support may apply.
Verify eligibility with the relevant borough.
Tell the council when things change
Moving, a household change or losing eligibility for a discount can alter the bill.
Keep confirmation of any update you submit.
Check the bill against the household
When a bill arrives, confirm the property, dates, band, liable people and any discount or exemption shown.
Do not assume the letting agent has registered the move correctly. If several adults share the property, clarify liability in the agreement and with the council.
Keep the reference number and copies of messages so corrections can be traced if responsibility or occupancy is disputed.
Plan payment without losing support
Boroughs normally offer instalment arrangements, while the exact schedule and support options vary.
Choose a payment date that fits income and act early if a payment may be missed. Ignoring notices can add costs and reduce options.
Students, single occupants and low-income households should check current eligibility directly rather than relying on a previous tenant’s bill or informal advice.
Handle moves cleanly
Notify the old and new council with exact occupancy dates, forwarding details and meter-style evidence where useful.
Retain closing and opening statements. Overlapping tenancies can create more than one liability, so include Council Tax when pricing a gradual move.
If a refund is due, verify the council’s process through its official website before entering bank details in an unsolicited message.
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