@@paul_my_plumbs_uk Now all I have to do is to wait until I’m 80 years of age - when I receive a 50p a week increase! Well, to me that is worse than an insult.
How come you got a 50% discount, rather than a 25% discount? I thought having a Carer only got 25% reduction. Or is it a different % with your Local Authority to mine?
I've always said this. As a single person I feel totally ripped off. I receive a 25% single person's discount. There's a household near me that has 4 working adults. For illustration purposes let's say the council tax is £100. That means I pay £75 per month but those individuals all pay £25 each despite them being a 4 times bigger drain on resources. I preferred the poll tax where every working person contributed. The problem was it wasn't implemented correctly. You can't have a neurosurgeon earning £150k paying the same as a cleaner earning £16k. It should be means tested to make it fair. In my opinion everyone should contribute.
Yes, I recently read the cost of a short break away from home (another fantasy I'll never be able to afford to do!) and the surcharge for a solo occupancy was 35%.
I think it's an utter disgrace that people struggling on a state pension have to pay council tax, after paying tax all their working life, and especially since the tories have destroyed the economy and everything costs a lot more.
I have a small private pension ,£ 4500 a year, and since the state pension increase my tax code went from 400L to 10L . So any gains in state pension is going straight back as tax
I am a single out of work person, living in a small studio flat. I get NO state help (Because aparantly, though I paid Tax for 43 years while i was in full time employment, I am not entitled to anything.) I have had to fight tooth and nail to get the discount I have been told I am entitled to. Even now the council are quibbling over it. My flat is Band B (as they all are in my block yet others pay considerably LESS than i do. Some work, some don't.
Thank you for sharing this - it is disheartening to hear that Ukrainian refugees qualify for full CT discount, whilst other refugees do not, I was thinking of the USA/UK/NATO led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and those refugees who’ve managed to get asylum in the UK after helping the UK government don’t get much help, and now their families still stuck in those countries can’t find safe passage under family reunification…it is sobering fact to know that only 22 Afghanistani refugees were resettled in the UK in 2022 (this is a Home Office stat)…whatever prejudices people hold, it’s clear to see their is no real moral / ethical / fairness being applied here… In my suburb we have seen many Ukrainian families go right at the top of the housing list, many of whom have been housed in expensive private rental houses at the cost of the tax payer, whilst there are many working British families in temporary accommodation/ bed sits waiting for the council to house then - British people who’ve paid taxes and when they need help the most are unable to access it - I can’t imagine why anyone can’t see how this is breeding resentment… I’d like to see Martin Lewis, Gary from Gary’s Economics and Dr Faiza Shaheen have a discussion on housing and the issues facing ordinary British citizens and discuss/ jointly present some solutions 🌟
It's a disgrace . The more I hear how this corrupt government of ours goes out of there way to finance unvetted , foreign so-called 'asylum seekers' or 'refugees' at the British taxpayers expense , the more I'd like to see a modern day Guy Fawkes , who doesn't get the rack and execution , but a medal and lives to maybe turn this country around .....🤔 🇬🇧🆓❓
Ukrainians provided the battlefield for the West to go to war with Russia. It is as a result of the forced sacrifice of the Ukrainians that the UK is not on fire from Russian airstrikes. For their sacrifice, we are destroying their nation and people afterall, they are honoured in the West.
Thank you so much. I am a full time carer and have spoken to the council several times to get my son a disregard and have the band reduced because of adaptations for his disability. Nobody ever said I could also claim a 50% discount on the remaining bill. I just contacted them and will be getting the reduction backdated to when I started receiving Carers Allowance. I’m so grateful to you for making a video about this.
Applied a month ago for an adult on AA with an adult carer. 3 weeks later got a decision: 25% reduction. I asked for it to be back dated. They approved my request to the day the adult claimed AA. Result = four figure sum refunded. It is very surprising this is not done automatically when you get awarded AA. It's a flawed system in the UK. On one hand you have to pay this tax, then on the other hand Sunak pays you back with all of these Cost of Living payments. What has this country come to? And if you don't know about the 25% discount, then of course, you won't be getting any of YOUR money back. Nice one HM Gov.👍 In Martin we trust🇬🇧✌
I would like to add that after losing my mum 3 years ago, Barnet council insist on charging the full rate of council tax. She lived alone. She isn't receiving any of the services this tax covers and I have been struggling to pay it. It's a disgrace. I work part time 15 hours a week as an NHS worker and her property is still on the market for less that £240k. This in my opinion needs looking into. Many thanks
Why do I only get 25% off as a single working man when my neighbour whom doesnt work, has kids, produces 3x the amount of rubbish and waste only have to pay a FRACTION??? The entire system is blatently unfair.
Exactly. They are also more likely to call the emergency services, use public services, use council funded facilities etc. A family with 4 working adults near me means they all pay 25% whereas I pay 75%. we're being well and truly shafted.
I found it very interesting. I have passed some info through to a friend who I think might be able to reduce her council tax bill on the strength of some of the information you just shared.
Did mine got 5 years backdated, my son is disabled, non mental capacity, i am his carer, i was paying £190 a month now paying £22.00 per month. A few A4 sheets to fill out.
How come we have to hear an independent adviser explain this ?? Surely by not telling the public what they are entitled to,--the councillars are commiting a fraud ???
Me! I think it’s because of the qualifying period/assessment period being that of before the new tax year. But I’ve not managed to get though to universal credit yet.
@@TheBlokeNextDoorMusic thank you Darren, that’s what I assumed as the assessment period was before the new tax year. But I hadn’t been able to find confirmation of my assumption.
My mums house is empty since she died 2 years ago but we have to pay full council tax on it. If one person lived in it, we would get 25% discount. Its crazy.
This is wrong information. Each council has different rules. I had 6 months exemption but now paying the full whack. It is going through our solicitors so I know this is the correct information.... Albeit absurd as they don't receive any police etc service as they have passed on
Discount???... More likely an inflation busting rip off rise..... My neighbour (single) gets discount and he earns more than me... But because I have an adult who does not work living in house I pay full.... Feel ripped off😢... For many years as a tax paying worker
Why do single people only get a 25% discount when they categorically state that council tax is based upon 2 people sharing? Didn’t they take mathematics at school. If that is correct, one person should get a 50% discount!
Very interesting! Our son, who is only 16 at the moment so doesn't count in the qualifying adults, receives High rate DLA and mobility (or now to be PIP), so we get the lowered council tax band. We are both registered carers for our son and my wife receives some carers allowance as she basically had to give up her job 15 years ago to look after our son. Personally, I think our son will live with us for the rest of his life. I wonder how this would work when my son turns 18. As there would be 3 adults, we are both registered carers and he may possibly qualify to be disregarded under the SMI rule. 2 years to go yet of course :-) but worth asking. As my dad always says "If you try you might, if you don't you won't". And ANYTHING these days when bills just seem to be going up and up will all save on the pocket!
There should be a big debate going on surrounding council tax and the legality surrounding it in law from what I have been seeing on RU-vid from people in some cases getting exemptions because they went to court in some case's getting money payed back
I tried claiming a disabled discount on my council tax and they wanted me to provide all the information that I didn't have access to. They are too lazy to do the leg work, they want you to do it for them. Xxxx
My husband has Alzheimer’s disease .was diagnosed in 2015… he went into care in December 2022 but I looked after him at home for years. Am I entitled to back pay for all those years
Years ago probably 13 or so my daughter’s psychiatrist filled in the form for smi whilst she was an inpatient. the local council decided she wasn’t eligible. They phoned her whilst she was in hospital to discuss it with her. Despite the fact she wasn’t in any position to be having this conversation and we are her appointees. We have always thought she was entitled. She has very bad memories of this phone call and has forbidden us to do anything. Basically it sounded like a admin person was questioning her even thought they knew she was in a psychiatric hospital and judging her. She is able to live alone but with masses of help and support. We will try and broach the conversation again with her
Years ago, in Scotland, I had returned to college full time but had a lodger. I wasnt entitled to countil tax benefit because I was a student- so I was billed for the council tax. I had to give up the course. Madness I dunno if its still like that.
I brought a home with a family member and I am the only one who lives here and the family member lives and works in another city and home (he doesn't own the home he lives in). However the council didn't let me have a single person discount just because his name isn't on the council tax bill in the house he lives in. Complicated.
Sue both councils jointly and severally for the refund When you get them both in court they cannot argue that the other one was to blame You should present the court with evidence that the other person is actually paying council tax at the other place regardless of whether they are on the deed or not
As a single person I feel totally ripped off. I receive a 25% single person's discount. There's a household near me that has 4 working adults. For illustration purposes let's say the council tax is £100. That means I pay £75 per month but those individuals all pay £25 each despite them being a 4 times bigger drain on resources. I preferred the poll tax where every working person contributed. The problem was it wasn't implemented correctly. You can't have a neurosurgeon earning £150k paying the same as a cleaner earning £16k. It should be means tested to make it fair. In my opinion everyone should contribute.
Yes, probably. But the VOA et al are slipper so and so's. I've tried three times to get my CT Banding changed (as others around me have had their CT banding changed). The VOA seem filled with weasel words and gobbledegook, they even contradict themselves. I wonder if I'm dealing with chatbots in more recent times. So I'm all ears✌️💜😊 But sadly most of that does not apply to us. I will read the check and challenge list again though as I may have missed something 🤔🤔✌️👍💜 We are both ill and disabled and have told our council and VOA, they're not interested in helping or advising, just in tripping us up. It's exhausting when unwell dealing with such, we've lost warm home discount etc too and now seem to fall through several nets with little or no help. Things seem to be getting worse and as our councils are all working from home, our data is at risk and the phones are often not answered by those who are supposed to care, protect and serve.
I think it's a bit of a joke that people like me that live alone only get a 25% discount on council tax. My council in Buckinghamshire doesn't even collect waste food. We get bins collected every 2 weeks, MAYBE, and we're a major town 30 mins from London. The hell am I paying for? I'm far lower usage than a family when it comes to waste collection, only 1 car instead of 2, less waste water, less services requirement or likelihood of usage, so why only 25% on the deduction.
I agree. As a single person I feel totally ripped off. I receive a 25% single person's discount. There's a household near me that has 4 working adults. For illustration purposes let's say the council tax is £100. That means I pay £75 per month but those individuals all pay £25 each despite them being a 4 times bigger drain on resources. I preferred the poll tax where every working person contributed. The problem was it wasn't implemented correctly. You can't have a neurosurgeon earning £150k paying the same as a cleaner earning £16k. It should be means tested to make it fair. In my opinion everyone should contribute.
I'm a full time carer (35+ hours a week) but don't live at the address of the cared for person. I claim no benefits and cannot work due to my care work. Do I qualify for a discount?
You wouldn't qualify for a discount, but you may qualify for help in the shape of Council Tax Reduction, which is based on your own household income and savings.
The rules are not fair. If you have savings, they say, 'Oh well, you have savings so you can use that money to pay Council Tax. So if you don't have a job, you're expected to just spend your savings. So the people that didn't bother to save, they get a discount. The Council Tax is not related to earnings, so if you're on a low income with savings, you still have to pay the full amount.
i questioned the council over banding, my next door neighbor house is a band B from being a shop over 40 years ago but the rest of the houses on the street are band c, so i asked to challenge this as you are allowed but can only do it once. which was done in 1992 and they agreed they couldnt change his banding to a c like rest of us. so refuse to look in to it, how is this right? says on website if you think your in the wrong band get in touch but refuse to do out when you do. so my neighbour is on a much cheaper band from being a shop over 40 years ago. complete joke
when I moved to this house 14 years ago I quickly found that I have 2 soakaways back and front of my house. as an ex builder I reversed that and sent all the warter from my roof into the man hole.. reason for this they have been charging me full council tax of which I believe to be wrong. council scam
Do you have a channel on energy bills? Ours has gone up by 10 times what it was, we feel like we are being ripped off, especially since we have switched regularly and each time the new provider offered a cheaper rate, then after we switched this time we are now being hit for very high monthly bills.
Hey MSE team/viewers...I have a question, but, I'm not sure where to ask this. I have been reading your guide regards council tax banding and, I'm struggling. I can only find records with regards to my own house sales back to 2002 listed at £80,000. I'm 1 of 2 x 3 beds in a 3 house terrace. Both the 3 beds are of a very similar size and footprint, almost being the mirror image of eachother. Of the 3 houses in the terrace, I can see that the 1 x bed sandwiched between us is in band A and both the (small!) 3 beds are in band B. However, I can see that the last sold value of the other 3 bed on the same row goes back to 2000 and is listed at £45,000. If I'm right, the indication would be that both 3 beds are likely in the wrong tax band. It appears that at around 2001/2 the price jumped significantly. As such, it appears to be skewing the likely 1991 value of my house when I run the tool on the historic house price generator tool you have embedded within your council tax banding article. As such, I'm at a loss as to what to do. Should I pursue a claim pointing out the year 2000 value of my neighbours very similar sized property, or, should I just stick with what I have? My only other option would be to retrieve the pre-2000 sales values for my house...and I'm seemingly drawing blanks there also. I could really do with lessening the burden. I was diagnosed and treated for melanoma during the pandemic and, so, although I do have an understanding employer, any saving I could make personally would be of significant benefit to myself. Many thanks for any feedback any of you may have.
Oh dear Martin there you go again telling folk their Council Tax band might be too high. What happened when my parents neighbours who live in a far larger property and with a higher Council Tax band applied to have their Council Tax band lowered by following your advice, their application was rejected with my parents immediately after informed their Council Tax band was to increase! The appeals process is engineered to make it near impossible to win your case. When issuing your advice it might be worth mentioning that should the application fail it might have consequences for neighbours with a lower Council Tax band.
No help for Pensioners on low income then? Just had a 10.1% pension increase and having to pay 2.5% increase in tax. So a 2.5% loss in income than I had before such a generous rise. The 10.1% Inflation caused by excess profits by large corporations, banks and supermarkets. And not by striking NHS, Transport Unions etc. No wonder why we are all getting poorer by the day. Going to a food bank tomorrow.
What about if you live alone, have 2 kids who live with their mother but stays with you for 2 nights every fortnight? Am a full time support worker aswell. Does this count?
Council tax told me I have to pay full pole tax, because it's now income related on my benefits and I live alone now because my wife of 30 years left me and I several disabilities due to industrial injuries.. where do I stand please. ???
If you are the only adult living in the property you are entitled to the 25% single person discount. These things Martin is talking about are things directly applied to your bill and separate to any Council Tax Reduction/Support you might receive. Any Council Tax Reduction you're entitled to will depend on whatever income and savings you have, the 25% discount isn't.
Maybe your team could have a look into the numerous groups and sites advocating for people to stop paying their CT? On "moral" grounds. Seems like they prey on people who are vulnerable and advising them to basically follow the US "sovereign citizen" template claiming that CT is illegal. It's been gaining traction recently. I see many people getting into serious debt very quickly
Only because it’s the truth. If you look into birth certificate fraud, maybe you will understand. Common law is our sovereign right, law of the land, GODs law. Look into your straw man, which is your legal fiction. Magna Carta 2015 still stands to this day. Only thing the have over people is fear, that’s why they send round the bully boy bailiffs. So if you wish to consent to paying council tax, that’s your right, it’s called freewill.
It's a con,it says the CT is to pay for essential Local services,but fail to declare that it goes towards Pension Pots and over inflated wages, that's Fraud by misrepresentation
@@seanknapton7449 i get the disagreement with HOW the CT is spent and that's up to us to monitor. Yes the system is flawed and needs changing /updating. My issue with these youtubers who promote just stopping paying CT is that they tell people to send a template letter to their councils and then just stop paying. It's so easy they say! Well unless you're a lawyer or are happy to spend time and money defending your position in court you'll eventually just end up with serious debt. The council won't just ignore your debt because you sent a couple of letters. Unfortunately people who go ahead with this are ones who are already struggling with money. Once again, "influencer" persuading people to do something as a side project while they themselves do it as their main source of income.
Why do I have to pay full council tax on an unoccupied house when I am a full time student? (It’s a property I used to let out but the tenant moved out)
Better still - don't pay it at all - it's a scam - look it up... If a company started billing you for something you don't want or indeed didn't agree to, why would/should you pay it? Educate yourself!
half of the week my wife cares for her mother and is not at home sunday through to wednesday. do I get a discount further more should her mom pay more because her household goes from 1 to 2 person. is this a catch 22 stupid british rip off situation?
