Council tax!

No it’s not a flat rate because it depends on the band the house is in - but that’s a very poor system of differentiation. The poll tax was to have been payable by each individual over 18.

suziewoozie thanks for the explanation.

£2,148. Four bedroomed semi (three bedrooms with the garage converted to a fourth bedroom). Band D.

Up 5.8%, including a 9.5% increase on the part of the Greater London Authority.

An overall increase of 1.9% (Band E)

I can remember paying £2,000 a year in 1990 and after H died I carried on paying for 10 years hence and dreaded the thought as I was coming up for retirement. I don't know how I did it as it increased every year--Band E it was. Goodness only knows what it is now, probably double.

Council tax has nothing to do with income just the value of the property, with discounts for some people.
We keep demanding more services so council tax will go up.

Katie59

Council tax has nothing to do with income just the value of the property, with discounts for some people.
We keep demanding more services so council tax will go up.

The problem is imo there’s been no re-evaluations for yonks and if we keep this system, there should be additional higher bands.

Probably right to have higher bands, if you live in a mansion you can afford more, although maybe only 5% or less would be affected.

Katie59

Probably right to have higher bands, if you live in a mansion you can afford more, although maybe only 5% or less would be affected.

I’d also probably ensure that the very lowest bands were paying less relatively. It’s a shame that it’s not going to happen

grannysyb

Just got the bill for next year, nearly £2830! For a two bedroom cottage!

That is quite high! But you do not mention which banding your property falls into and which County you live in so it's difficult to make any comparisons.

If you live alone you should be eligible for a discount too.

I do not know what mine is yet- my Labour councillors have been too busy awarding themselves £6,000 a year increase.

Charleygirl5

I do not know what mine is yet- my Labour councillors have been too busy awarding themselves £6,000 a year increase.

First priority - look after No 1.

Katie59

Charleygirl5

I do not know what mine is yet- my Labour councillors have been too busy awarding themselves £6,000 a year increase.

First priority - look after No 1.

Probably needed such a big pay rise to be able to afford the council tax!

Surely, the real fairest way would be a local Income Tax. At present poorer boroughs often have to provide more in the way of services, but receive less money. Richer boroughs, the other way round.

Franbern

Surely, the real fairest way would be a local Income Tax. At present poorer boroughs often have to provide more in the way of services, but receive less money. Richer boroughs, the other way round.

The problem then would still be how central government calculates the money it gives to local authorities but I agree, that would seem a fairer way of raising the local revenue.

Ours has gone up 4.9% to £2040 four bedroom detached it’s not bad. However I object about the amount for policing our police station closed fifteen years ago. There is no police presence at all anywhere if required the nearest is about six miles away.

I object to living on my own and living off my two pensions but next door 5 people are working. Okay, I receive a 25% deduction but I am not a happy bunny.

Charleygirl5

I object to living on my own and living off my two pensions but next door 5 people are working. Okay, I receive a 25% deduction but I am not a happy bunny.

But the problem here ( generally obvs I don’t know the specifics) is that people’s incomes vary enormously and council tax doesn’t allow for this ( apart from the benefit issue of course).

Had my council tax bill with my single person allowance £1,361.66 for 2 bed bungalow . Last year it was £1,296.27. So after first payment of £137.66 only raise of £6 a month . Which I think is very reasonable. Have very good services here. So no complaints.

I don't think that council tax should be about income. It is a bill to pay for local services, which cost the same whether you are rich or poor.

Also, who can say what others 'can afford'? It's not all about income - expenditure has to be taken into account too.

IMO, income of any description - inheritance, earned income etc should be taxed more heavily than now, with a higher threshold for starting to pay. This should cover Council Tax, and all other services, and once it has been paid (and rigorously enforced), people should be able to spend their money how they wish - whether that is on a small uniflat or a large mansion.

We pay our Band B weekly by direct debit- 35/week - a few pounds up from last year.

Charges for Band D not only vary in different boroughs, the type of house banded at D varies in different boroughs as well. I downsized from a large 4 bed, 3 reception house, which was band D, to a 3 bed house, which is band F. Downsizing has cost me a lot in Council Tax.

Our council tax was frozen for several years running until last year.

Since 2010, their funding from central government has been almost halved - with a drastic reduction in services.

Therefore, a higher than inflation increase is justified. It is a large bill, but we really do need to pay for children's services and adult social care.

Elusivebutterfly, houses are often reassessed when they're sold and are allocated a more expensive band. People 'forget' to have them checked when extensions/improvements are made!