Council Tax

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why has my bill changed?
• Why have I received a Reminder/Final Notice/Summons?
• Why is the house down the road in a lower band than mine?
• What band is my property in?
• How do I report Council Tax Fraud?
• Why have I got a Council Tax attachment of earnings?
• How much do I owe?
• Do I get a discount?
• I wish to request a copy bill
• What do I do if I can't pay my Council Tax?
• Who to contact

Why has my bill changed?

Check the top left hand corner of the bill under where it states the Property Band. There will be a 'Reason for Bill' comment here eg. Council Tax Benefit Adjustment, New Account etc. If there is no reason for the bill it may be a year start bill.

If you require any further information please contact Exchequer and Support Services.

Why have I received a Reminder/Final Notice/Summons?

• Council Tax must be paid in accordance with the instructions on the bill to avoid recovery.
• When one instalment is missed a Reminder will be issued.
• If this is not brought up to date a Summons is issued.
• If it is brought up to date and kept up to date no further action will be taken.
• If it is brought up to date but subsequent instalments are defaulted upon a Second Reminder is issued.
• If this is not brought up to date a Summons is issued.
• If it is brought up to date and kept up to date no further action will be taken.
• If it is brought up to date but subsequent instalments are defaulted upon a Final Notice is issued.
• The Final Notice allows 7 days to pay the balance due for the year in full.
• (It is not enough just to bring the instalments up to date).
• If this is not paid in full within 7 days a Summons is issued. Any summons issued will incur costs of £72.00.
• Please note that paying within the month will not always avoid recovery , it is important to make payment on the date shown on the bill.

Why is the house down the road in a lower band than mine?

• All properties were valued before the start of Council Tax, the effective date was 1st April, 1991.
• After valuation the properties were placed in one of the bands shown below.
• Bands are based on the saleable value of the property on 1st April 1991 and not it's current value.
• Some apparently similar properties may differ in band. The most likely reason is when the valuations made on each property border two bands.
• Appeals needed to be made by November, 1993. However if you become the owner of or move into a property for the first time you may make an appeal within 6 months.
• If you do appeal you must carry on paying your original bill. If your appeal is successful we will refund any money that you have overpaid.
• To make an appeal call the Valuation Office on 03000 501501 and ask for the form for 'Making a Proposal to alter the Valuation List'. Alternatively write to: The Listings Officer, Council Tax North, Valuation Office Agency, King William House, Market Place, Hull, HU1 1RT.

There are more circumstances which may affect the banding, if you have any further queries please contact us.

What band is my property in?

• The property band is detailed on the top left hand corner of the bill.
• If a bill is not available a full listing of properties and their bands is available.

Any queries about which band the property has been placed in can be referred to us.

How do I report Council Tax Fraud?

• You can report suspected fraud anonymously on-line, or alternatively, you should gather all the information you are aware of eg. names, addresses, telephone numbers, employment details and report the details to either the Customer Service Office in person, the office by telephone or via the Fraud Hotline on Free phone 0800 328 6340.
• Let us know what type of fraud you suspect;
  • eg - more than one adult in the property and claiming single person discount.
  • someone living in a property but claiming it is empty
  • someone claiming Council Tax Benefit for a property they don’t live in.
• All suspected frauds are investigated but please provide as much information as possible. All information is treated in the strictest confidence.

If you require any further information please contact us.

Why have I got a Council Tax Attachment of Earnings?

• Once a Council Tax case has gone through the Magistrates' Court an order is granted. This order allows the Authority to take certain methods of recovery one of which is Attachment of Earnings.
• If a suitable arrangement has not been made with the office or the balance outstanding has not been paid in full it is likely that once employer details are known that an Attachment of Earnings Order will be implemented.
• Customers are obliged to provide employment details when requested by the Authority and the Authority do not need to consult the customer when considering an Attachment.

If you would like any further information please contact Exchequer and Support Services.

How much do I owe?

To find out your balance call the Council Tax office on 0161 342 2065 or Business Rates on 0161 342 2045.

Do I get a Discount?

Do you live alone?

If yes, a single person discount of 25% will apply.

Do you live with another adult (not a partner) who is in receipt of a low income?

If yes, second adult rebate of up to 25% may apply.

Do you own an empty property ?

If yes, a 50% discount may apply.

Is the empty property unfurnished?

If yes, a full exemption may apply.

Do you live with any other adult(s) who falls into one of these categories?:

Student, In receipt of Child Benefit, Prisoner, YTS, Carer, School Leaver, Student Nurse, Apprentice, Resident in a hostel, hospital, nursing home or religious community. Is registered severely mentally impaired, is a diplomat, a member of an international headquarters or defence organisation or a non-British spouse of a student.

If yes, these adults will be disregarded and a discount of 25% may apply.

If all residents fall into one of these categories a discount of 50% may apply.

In certain circumstances a full exemption will apply.

Do you live alone and fall into one of these categories?:

Resident in a Halls of Residence, Full Time Student, Accommodation provided for UK forces, a member of a visiting force, Under the age of 18, severely mentally impaired, have diplomatic immunity or resident in an annexe, eg. granny flat.

If yes, a full exemption may apply.

If any other adult(s) resident fall into the same category a full exemption may still apply.

Are you liable for Council Tax but not resident because of one of the following reasons:

Imprisonment, moved to receive care or moved to provide care leaving the property empty.

If yes, a full exemption may apply.

If the property is unoccupied is it:

owned by a charity, left empty following death of resident, against the law to occupy, a clergy dwelling, owned by a student, repossessed, owned by a bankrupt, a caravan pitch or boat mooring, an annexe eg. granny flat, uninhabitable, undergoing major repairs or a new property.

If yes, a full exemption may apply.

Has the property been adapted to meet the needs of a disabled resident?

If yes, it is possible to reduce liability by one band. With effect from April 2000 this also applies to Band A properties which will be charged at the rate of 5/9ths of the amount set for Band D. Read the guidance notes and apply on-line.

Are you or your partner in receipt of a low income ?

If yes, you may be eligible to claim Council Tax benefit. If you are in receipt of Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) please  use the online service for claiming Council Tax Benefit . You may also refer to the benefit office for further information.

If you require any further information regarding rebate, discounts, exemptions or relief please contact the office.

Who to contact

If you live in Ashton or Mossley:
0161 342 2015 0161342 2012 Send a Message to Ashton/Mossley Council Tax Team

If you live in Denton or Dukinfield:
 0161342 2099 0161 342 2012 Send a Message to Denton/Dukinfield Council Tax Team

If you live in Audenshaw, Hyde or Longdendale:
 0161 342 2065 0161342 2012 Send a Message to Audenshaw/Hyde/Longdendale Council Tax Team

If you live in Droylsden or Stalybridge:
 0161 342 2080 0161342 2012 Send a Message to Droylsden/Stalybridge Council Tax Team