Will I qualify for the £150 tax rebate in April?

Lyd00

I'm currently purchasing my first house and will likely exchange end of April beginning of May. Will I be eligible for the £150 tax rebate that households are receiving to help towards the rise in energy costs? It's council tax A. No one lives in the house at present. I called the council and they didn't seem to know. 

TheMilkmansDad

i do not believe you would qualify, but the person who owns the property on 1st April will.

molerat

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-council-tax-rebate-2022-23-billing-authority-guidance/support-for-energy-bills-the-council-tax-rebate-2022-23-billing-authority-guidance

11. To provide some immediate relief for these rising costs, while targeting those most likely to require support, the government expects billing authorities to provide a £150 one-off payment to a liable council tax payer (or a person who would otherwise be liable where the property is exempt) for every household that occupies a property which meets all of the following criteria on 1 April 2022

StartledJesus

@molerat Thanks for posting that general link to the Gov web site. 

Lyd00

TheMilkmansDad said:

i do not believe you would qualify, but the person who owns the property on 1st April will.

That's insane isn't it. Bills are about to go up but I'll miss out on any help offered for not starting to pay any bills by then 

GingerTim

Makes sense to me, as rough as it seems - I wouldn't expect to get the rebate if I wasn't the householder when it's paid.

Robin9

@Lyd00 Where will you be living on April 1st ?

northernstar007

can i jump in and ask, if i pay my council tax in full, start of april NOT by dd can i deduct the £150 off the amount due as this is not on my new council tax bill and when the council get the 150 off the gov it pays the remainder of my bill

ive email the council buy no reply 

EssexHebridean

For someone living in one eligible property as at the beginning of April, but moving shortly afterwards, they would get the payment into their bank against their current home. If you believe council tax is being paid on the property you are buying you could ask your solicitor if they could negotiate an allowance against the price you are paying to the tune of the £150. The seller may say yes - but if they refuse there’s little you can do. I assume you’re currently living in an arrangement such as with parents that means you don’t have a council tax account in your name? 

frederick1950

northernstar007
Of course you can't do that , the £150 has nothing to do with the council tax account and the goverment are just using councils as a vehicle for paying it.
If you don't pay by direct debit you will be invited to  make a claim .
The press is making a mistake by calling it " the £150 council tax rebate " which it isn't.

ruth56_2

My mum doesn't actually pay council tax as she is on benefits. Will she still qualify for the £150? Can't find anything on gov website to cover this..