Council tax question

Darren21

I'm starting to look at one bed flats to rent & as I have previously been a non tax paying student I a bit unsure of the costs.

I'm going to be looking at a one bed flat in a converted house of now 4 flats. The flats are all completely separated off.

Question is, roughly how much council tax would I pay on this in the Southampton area??

Also, roughly how much water/sewage charges??

waterbaby

First of all, get the address of a property of the sort that you are interested in. Then go to http://www.voa.gov.uk/council_tax/cti_home.htm.

This will tell you the band of any domestic property in England and Wales.

Then go to http://www.southampton.gov.uk/council/council-tax/bandsandcharges2005.asp#0

Scroll down, and it tells you the amount that Southampton charge for the year from 1st April (look at the 'Total' column).

Not too sure on the water/sewage.

jimclark1967

You can find out which council tax band you're in from this site

http://www.voa.gov.uk/cti/InitS.asp?lcn=0

and then see how much you'll be charged in Southampton here:

http://www.southampton.gov.uk/council/council-tax/bandsandcharges2005.asp#0

If you're the only person living in the property you'll get a 25% discount on the figure quoted.

JC

jimclark1967

Ooh, great minds think alike eh waterbaby! Must have been replying at the same time

JC

waterbaby

spooky...

Well if we both said the same it must be ok. Good point about the 25% discount, I'd forgotten about that.

Also, split the total over 10 months as they charge it from April to January. I don't understand why (anyone know?). Of course they make sure you pay the correct amount pro-rata; ie if you move in at the start of March you don't get March free.

mac123

The reason it's billed over 10 months is that it is legislation!! The reason for that i'm unsure of but charging pro rata from April to January leaves feb and mar for the collection of those in arrears, (and also for the governors to decide (the inevitable) increases and for calculation and production of new bills

margaretclare

waterbaby wrote:

Also, split the total over 10 months as they charge it from April to January. I don't understand why (anyone know?). Of course they make sure you pay the correct amount pro-rata; ie if you move in at the start of March you don't get March free.

Not all councils do this. Ours gives you the option as some people like the 'free months' of Feb/March, other people (like us) prefer to pay the same amount all year round so we pay for 12 months, not 10.

If you're paying by D/D, as we are, arrears don't arise.

Aunty Margaret

waterbaby

Sounds good. I want to pay over 12.

Although there is a slight advantage - because we budget per month, we end up with spare money in Feb and March, which we put into the mortgage.

Would be great to have the choice though.