Ubfair Council Tax Reduction

Chrysalis

I think the current method is grossly unfair on single people especially for flats, ie. house converted to 3 flats = 3 x council tax as house unconverted next door.

Poll tax was fairer in my view but it meant households with large numbers of adults couldnt tax dodge so much and of course was updated like most other things to punish single adults.

CIS

I think the current method is grossly unfair on single people especially for flats, ie. house converted to 3 flats = 3 x council tax as house unconverted next door.

Not necessarily, when the property is converted the flats can be re-banded, a band E house may become band C flats, a reduction in the rate of council tax that is payable.

seven-day-weekend

I personally felt poll tax was fairer in principle as it meant everybody had to pay something....and was we all have the services, so why shouldn't that be ?

However, three adults living together in a house do not have their bin emptied three times as often as a single person living in a similar house, or have triple value of their services, so it can't be as simple as everyone paying the same.

So maybe the way Council tax is worked out is a reasonable compromise, although I can't see why your house value has to come into it at all. (My UK property is Band A, so I have no axe to grind on this score).

Astaroth

There should be a flat rate standing charge for a dwelling and then a per occupant fee on top of that.... there we go, just solved the whole tax issue

Chrysalis

CIS wrote:

Not necessarily, when the property is converted the flats can be re-banded, a band E house may become band C flats, a reduction in the rate of council tax that is payable.

What about Band A house converted to flats remaining band A tho?

Chrysalis

seven-day-weekend wrote:

I personally felt poll tax was fairer in principle as it meant everybody had to pay something....and was we all have the services, so why shouldn't that be ?

However, three adults living together in a house do not have their bin emptied three times as often as a single person living in a similar house, or have triple value of their services, so it can't be as simple as everyone paying the same.

So maybe the way Council tax is worked out is a reasonable compromise, although I can't see why your house value has to come into it at all. (My UK property is Band A, so I have no axe to grind on this score).

I could argue I only need my bin emptied once a month but its emptied weekly since houses with more occupants need it done weekly.

CIS

What about Band A house converted to flats remaining band A tho?

Thats always going to be the exception, as short of having a disabled band relief, band A is the lowest any property can go.

Chrysalis

I have never seen a house that isnt band A so I would think that this exception appears to a bit more common then you think. Certianly a case for a band that is for flats and bungalows. Either that or tax per household occupancy/income.

System

I find it unfair too.

My mate used to live at home, paid no mortgage/rent and no council tax. Plus made more money than me. I fail to see why i should pay more per month as he uses the same services as me.

I'm personally in favour of a local income tax. Plus, possibly a standing charge per property with no exemptions or reductions. This would catch landlords that rent to students and pay nothing!

Maybe im a bit Scandinavian in my thinking, that tax should be based upon ability to pay. Basically someone making 15k and 50k in same property pay the same council tax, crazy!

Don't get me started on water! Here in Scotland, single people pay the full water charges, no 25%! It costs more than my energy bills... :eek:

msmicawber

charles_w wrote:

Why should a single person with no children pay the element that goes towards education ?

I don't think like that, I must admit. I don't use lots of Council Services - I've never had to use the Fire Brigade, but I don't resent paying for them. Would you prefer specific bills for those services you do use, and if there's no money for respite care for a parent will a severely handicapped child, they just lump it? I would hate to live in a society like that.