Council Tax in Conveyancing

Council Tax, what is it? A pain! But it replaced the flat rate Poll Tax in 1993, or so I have read. Council Tax is charged by local authorities to each residential property in its area, each property being placed in a particular “band” and each band paying a particular annual rate, give or take.

Council Tax is more complicated than that with surcharges for second properties etc,  exemptions and reductions that can be claimed in certain circumstances and various other rules. 

When buying a property however it is important to bear in mind that this is going to be a continuing outgoing and bear in mind the following:

• Second homes can attract expensive surcharges!
• Larger homes will usually pay a higher rate of council tax!
• Different local authorities charge different amounts! 

So even if you downsize but move to a different area, you could have a nasty surprise if you have not anticipated and budgeted for the next Council Tax demands!

Contact your local authority if you are in doubt about your Council Tax rates etc, but if you’re buying and in doubt about how you can find this information, ask your conveyancer or get in touch with me here. 

Do not get caught out by Council Tax!