Do less people in a house make a difference to C Tax?

cashbuilder_2

Been reading all this stuff about re banding Ctax. I've lived in the same house for 16 years and I think (cos living with parents) it's been the same band D for this time.

Checked all my direct neighbours and they are all band C (except for one cos we both have exactly same size house), and all other houses near us are council flats around us, so they are either A or B, which kinda makes sense.

I read briefly on some council page that C Tax could be lessened if some changes have occurred, such as my parent becoming a widow, and I wondered if anyone can shed any light if there are any grounds to apply for a re banding. I'm guessing I can't just say we should get a lesser band just cos the council property has lower banding, right?

BTW, there's only three of us who now live in this 4 bedroomed house and even tho my siblings sometimes stay over they aren't here on a daily basis. Does that make a difference to how much we pay?

System

I don't think the number of people in a property matters unless it is just one person but hopefully someone with more knowledge will come along.

If I'm right the only solution which took account of the number of occupants in a property was the much derided Poll Tax which the British public successfully prevented coming into being.

McKneff

Pam 17 is correct. Discount of 25% is available for single occupancy
other discounts if a house has to be adapted for a disability but number of occupants makes no difference at all

Mikeyorks

cashbuilder wrote: »

A) I read briefly on some council page that C Tax could be lessened if some changes have occurred, such as my parent becoming a widow, and I wondered if anyone can shed any light if there are any grounds to apply for a re banding.

BTW, there's only three of us who now live in this 4 bedroomed house

A) What you're exampling possibly impacts discounts on the CT bill itself - it has no effect on the Banding which is based on property size etc

There's a whole host of reasons why discounts may be applicable (single person discount if other occupants are under 18 / FT Students / Apprentices etc etc). Bit easier if you specify who the three are and their status? Or read this + links :

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/YourlocalcouncilandCouncilTax/CouncilTax/DG_10037422

CIS

Council Tax is based on 2 occupants sharing the property - any more occupiers than that and the property charge does not increase, any less and the charge may decrease.

There is no specific discount for a widow (unless they are are the sole occupier) , in general having 3 other occupiers would result in a full charge unless the other occupiers are disregarded for council tax purposes.

The banding of the property has nothing to do with the number of occupiers, the band was based on the assessed value of the property in 1991.