When relocating, how to get your council tax refunded

Even though Coronavirus COVID 19 continues to have an impact on our lives, many of us are still buying and selling homes, and of course, home moving requires a great deal of preparation and planning.  

First and foremost, you must locate the best agents , select from a variety of removal companies, pack your moving boxes, transfer your TV license, and, of course, notify others that you are changing your address.  

One thing you must remember, however, is to contact your local council about closing your council tax account.

Knowing how to cancel council tax when moving house is critical; after all, you don't want to be saddled with extra tax bills after your move.  

We'll look at how to cancel council tax at your current address and how to start paying council tax after you move.

This article discusses the following topics:

What exactly is Council Tax?

Council tax is paid to your city council in order for the local government to pay for a variety of local services such as garbage collection and schools. The amount of local council taxes you will pay is determined by the location of your home and the council tax band in which your property falls.

When purchasing a home, it is critical to notify all relevant organizations and individuals of your change of address. Your local council should be one of the most important organizations on that list.  

Once the house removals process is completed, you will be registered for council tax.

Whether you own or rent your home, you must pay the council tax bill. Fortunately, our helpful moving advice will point you in the right direction to ensure that you do not make a mistake when paying council tax when relocating.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about canceling your council tax when moving.

How is Council Tax Determined?

Your council tax bill will be calculated based on the value of your home in terms of valuation bands.  

There are eight different tax band levels in Scotland and England. These tax bands in Scotland and in England range from highest (A) to lowest (H).

Wales has different tax bands, with nine levels ranging from the highest (A) to the lowest (I).

In Wales, tax bands are based on the price of the property on April 1, 2003. In England and Scotland, the tax band is determined by how much your property sold for on April 1, 1991.

You can calculate your average council tax bill by calculating the backwards value of your home. Click here to accomplish this quickly

Next, go to the government's website and look up the tax band for your property. here This will tell you how much council tax you'll have to pay each month after you move.

Every home is banded using the same criteria and guidelines, which means that even properties purchased through Right To Buy and other discount schemes are banded in the same way, with no discounts on the home considered during the process.

How Much Will I Have to Pay in Council Tax?

Knowing how much council tax you'll have to pay when moving is an important factor in determining the cost of your move. In 2020-2021, the average council tax charge for Band D properties is:

• In England, £1818
• In Scotland, it costs £1243.91.
• In Wales, £1667 is the going rate.

What Happens to My Council Tax When I Move?

When you move, your local council will send you a final bill. This is calculated as a single monthly payment. After you've relocated, you'll receive an annual tax bill for your new property address.

However, if you are arranging international removals, you will only need to cancel your current council tax because there is no need to pay council tax when leaving the country to move abroad.

If you plan to stay in the same area and pay your council taxes to the same council as before, you can keep your existing direct debit agreement.

However, if you've moved to a new area, you must open a new tax account with your new local government. You might be able to choose paperless billing at this time.

If you own an existing home and plan to leave it empty, you must continue to pay council tax on it, albeit with a tax reduction.

However, if you are currently renting and are leaving the property, you will no longer be required to pay council tax on that property.  

To avoid a tax overlap, how do I cancel my council tax if I'm moving?  

If you are moving, you must notify your current local council of where you are leaving and where you will be going about one month before your move date.

Check your local authority's website for a page where you can enter your change of address as well as forwarding addresses for all adults in the property who pay council tax.

Typically, you will receive your final bill within one month of your move date. If you have a credit on your tax account, you can also apply for a tax refund.

You must plan for this ahead of time, or else there will be an overlap when moving.

If you have a council tax overlap, you will be paying tax on a property that you no longer live in.

Clearly, a tax overlap when moving is an expensive and unnecessary occurrence, so make sure all paperwork is completed ahead of time to avoid stress and additional moving costs.

When Will I Be Required to Pay Council Tax After I Move In?

You must begin paying taxes on your new home the day you move in.

If you've moved within your current local authority, you can keep your existing direct debit and thus pay your council at the same time you did for your previous address.

You should not wait for a letter addressed to the "new occupier" to arrive at your new residence.

It's common to believe that waiting is a good thing.

After all, you've just spent a lot of money on your move - not only do you have to pay back your new house price, but you also have to pay for the removal costs, estate agent fees, and conveyancing fees.  

However, your council will only backdate the payment, so you will simply be delaying an unavoidable expense.

Who Must Pay Council Tax?

Most people in the UK who rent or buy a home must pay council tax; however, there are a few exceptions.

• People who are enrolled in an apprenticeship program
• Under the age of 18  
• Students who are enrolled full-time
• Anyone relocating to an Armed Forces property  

Some exceptions apply to properties undergoing extensive renovations or that remain unoccupied after the owner's death.

If you are the only adult living in a house or live alone, you will receive a 25% tax break.  

Properties that are empty and used as a holding home or second home receive a discount of up to 50%.

Residents who are disabled benefit from means-testing, which can also result in a discount.

Can I Appeal My Council Tax Band?

When properties were appraised in 1991, the process was hurried. As a result, it's very likely that around 400,000 homes in Scotland and England are currently in the wrong tax bracket  

With this in mind, it's possible that you'll end up paying more in council tax on your new home than you should.

If you believe that your new home is in the wrong band, you can challenge it. The can evaluate properties. VOA stands for Valuation Office Agency. when there are council tax challenges or reviews  

They will usually make a decision within two months.

To challenge your tax band, you must first look up the band for your property in Wales or England on the Council Tax Valuation List of the government

If you live in Scotland, you can do so on the The website of the Scotland Assessor Association You must include the addresses of other homes in your neighbourhood, village, or town that are similar to yours but have a lower tax band. You'll also need to provide proof of the sale dates and prices.

You must notify more than just the local council office about your relocation. You will most likely need to notify a number of other people and businesses about your relocation. You must:

• Make sure you've informed Royal Mail that your mail needs to be redirected; you don't want to miss out on important mail sent to your old home address.
• Notify your utility providers, including your gas, electricity, and water providers, that you have relocated.
• Inform your home service providers, such as your TV and internet providers, as well as your phone company.
• Ascertain that any subscriptions have been cancelled or changed, and that any contracts have been updated with at least 31 days' notice.
• Inform your workplace or office of your relocation dates so that your pay stubs and other work-related mail arrive at your new address.
• If necessary, relocate your doctor and dentist to a location near your new home.

After you've completed all of the preceding steps, you'll be ready to look for the best packing tips and begin the difficult task of completing your move. So, Get the Moovshack app now. and start your house moving journey right now