With the cost of living rising at levels not seen for a generation off the back of a global pandemic, the Government decided to act and put in place a support package. In February, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced millions of households would receive a council tax rebate. A summary of the rebate criteria and how it works can be found below, and further details can be found here.

1. What is the council tax rebate?

There are 8 council tax bands running from A-H where A has the lowest level of council tax (based on property prices in 1991 for England and Scotland, and 2003 in Wales). The council tax rebate will provide a payment of £150 to households living in council tax bands A-D. Payments should have been made from April 2022. Importantly, the £150 will not need to be paid back.

2. Will I be eligible for the council tax rebate?

Households are eligible where, on 1 April 2022, they are liable for council tax on a property which is in council tax bands A-D and which they live in as their main home. This includes those who receive Local Council Tax Support, even if their council tax bill for the year is less than £150.

For those living in England or Wales you can find out your council tax band by entering your postcode here.

If you live in Scotland then you can check here.

3. How do I get my council tax rebate?

If you live in an eligible property and you pay your council tax by direct debit, payments should have been rolled out by your local council from April 2022.

If you qualify but do not pay your council tax by direct debit, your local council should have contacted you to arrange a method for paying the rebate.

If you have not received any contact from your local council then you may wish to check your local council website for any updates. Claims for the rebate can be processed up until 30 September 2022.

4. Who is my local council?

If you do not know who your local council is, you can check by visiting here.

5. How does the rebate work?

If you are eligible, you will receive the rebate as a separate payment, as opposed to it being part of your council tax bill. This should ensure you get the money more quickly.

6. Do I have to pay the £150 back?

The £150 council tax rebate does not have to be paid back unlike the energy rebate of £200 which will be made later in the year.

7. I live in a house share - who gets the rebate?

In a house share where there is one Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) that everyone has signed, there will be one £150 payment made per eligible household (see below for House in Multiple Occupation - HMO).

If your household is eligible and the council tax is paid by direct debit, payment will be made to the direct debit bank account. In this instance it’s probably fair to split the rebate amongst yourselves equally.

If your household is eligible but the council tax is not paid by direct debit, you will receive communication from your local council to nominate who receives payment on behalf of the household. Again, to be fair, this should be split amongst those in the household.

8. Will I get a rebate if I live in a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO)?

Where the owner of the property is liable for the council tax no-one is eligible for the rebate.

9. Can I get help if I don’t qualify for a rebate?

Every council has a discretionary fund so if you do not qualify for a rebate but like everyone else are impacted by rising energy costs please contact your local council.

Delays

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a number of local councils have reported delays in paying the rebate. If you haven’t received your rebate or your council has not contacted then please check their website ahead of contacting them.

Summary

The £150 council tax rebate is for every eligible property so if you qualify make sure you receive your payment. If you pay your council tax by direct debit you shouldn’t have to do anything to get your rebate. If you don’t pay by direct debit, then your local council should get in touch with you. Our advice is if you haven’t heard from your local council by Mid May then check their website for further information. Please make sure you don’t miss out!

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Remember the information provided in this article is for information purposes only and should not be considered as advice.