How Is Council Tax Calculated in London?

By Robert Palmer

When you move into a house or apartment in London, you will be required to pay council tax. This is a fee that goes towards the local council’s services, such as rubbish collection and street cleaning.

The amount of council tax you pay is calculated based on several factors, including the value of your property and the number of people living in it. In this article, we will explore how council tax is calculated in London.

What is Council Tax?

Council tax is a fee that households in England, Wales, and Scotland must pay to their local council. The money collected from council tax goes towards funding local services such as schools, roads, and garbage collection. The amount of council tax you pay depends on the value of your property and the number of people living in it.

How Is Council Tax Calculated?

Council tax is calculated based on two main factors: the value of your property and the number of people living in it. The value of your property is determined by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

The VOA assesses every property in England and Wales to determine its market value as of April 1st, 1991. This valuation is used to determine which band your property falls into.

There are eight bands for council tax purposes, ranging from A to H. Band A properties are valued at less than £40,000 while Band H properties are valued at more than £320,000.

Once your property has been assigned a band by the VOA, your local council will use this information to calculate how much council tax you owe. Each band has a set rate that applies to all properties within that band.

Number of People Living in Your Property

The second factor that affects how much council tax you pay is the number of people living in your property. If you live alone or if everyone else who lives with you is exempt from council tax (such as students), you will be entitled to a 25% discount on your council tax bill.

If there are two or more adults living in your property who are not exempt from council tax, you will be required to pay the full amount. However, if you live with someone who is considered to be severely mentally impaired, you may be entitled to a discount or exemption.

Conclusion

In conclusion, council tax is a fee that all households in England, Wales, and Scotland must pay. The amount of council tax you owe depends on the value of your property and the number of people living in it. By understanding how council tax is calculated, you can better plan for this expense and ensure that you are paying the correct amount.