Council Tax Cost Cutting: reduce your band and grab any discounts Discussion Area

Former_MSE_Archna

This thread is here to discuss the content of the article on Council Tax Cashback: reduce your band and save £1000s.

However if you have already followed the system, please use report them in the Council tax rebanding successes discussion.

Note from Martin: Thank you to all the contributers to the initial thread, which provided the genisis for the article. Much appreciated.

halloweenqueen_2

Oh well as I was last in with a comment on the thread - I'll start discussing on this one! I'm hoping I will get at least £600 back , not sure what the overpayments would have been over all the years, wonder whether they will break it down for me?
An alternative savings account I suppose!

Maisie

halloweenqueen wrote:

Oh well as I was last in with a comment on the thread - I'll start discussing on this one! I'm hoping I will get at least £600 back , not sure what the overpayments would have been over all the years, wonder whether they will break it down for me?
An alternative savings account I suppose!

halloweenqueen. So pleased you will get a refund. Pass the word on to others to check council tax banding. voa.gov.uk.

Many other MSE's are in line for refunds too.


Happy to have helped.

Maisie OP

halloweenqueen_2

Thanks maisie - I'm telling everyone I know to check theirs - will let you know how much i get back!

tiff

Most people in our street are in the same band as us but there are quite a few in band D, best not to complain then lol

pigpen

How does the discount work if you are a carer?

I am the registered carer for my son.. he receives DLA and I receive carers allowance. He is almost 11.

I read you can claim a discount in some circumstances if you are a carer.. or is this only for those such as foster carers not carers of DLA recipients? It isn't very clear.

I haven't heard anything about this before, not that that would surprise me.

Can anyone shed any light?

Thanks in advance!

Former_MSE_Natasha

Hi pigpen - I'm assuming that your son lives with you? I believe in order to get the discount you must be providing care at a residence that is not your own, i.e. caring for an elderly parent at their home, and by doing so you possibily don't spend the majority of your time residing in your own house.

Natasha

pigpen

Thanks Natasha.. Yes he lives with me.. though sometimes (most of the time) I feel he lives in space!!

Never mind.. I will find somewhere I can save some £££'s lol

Paul_Varjak

Around 880,000 householders can get a one-off rebate of up to £100 on their Council tax if they have Cavity Wall Insulation installed (depending on where they live):

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2006/060313a.htm

The cavity wall insulation is installed by British Gas at a reduced price of £175, so the net cost is as little as £75 - which could be recovered in less one year - with the energy saved.

However, many people on low incomes would do better getting the cavity wall insulation installed for free via ther many schemes available. Contact your local Council and electricity/gas company(s) for more info.

British Gas will even install cavity wall insulation for free if you are on a 'qualifying benefit' - even if you are not one of their customers! But I am not sure if you would qualify for the Council Tax rebate as well.

MSE_Martin

thanks paul - i'll take a look and add to the article if appropriate

CIS

There are three different cases that cover carers

Exemptions
If you leave your property to provide care at another property, you can apply for exemption on your own property

Disabled Band Relief
If your property has doors etc adapted for wheelchair use, has a room set aside specifically for the disabled persons use or you have an extra bathroom/kitchen for their use, then you may get Disabled Band Relief

Carers Disregard
A peron can be disregraded if they are caring for a person in the carers own home, the person cared for is not a spouse (or if under 18, the disabled person is not the carers child) and the person is in receipt of DLA/AA (high care), CAA. The care must also be for 35+ hrs per week.