There is only one bill for each home, regardless of how many people live there. If more than one person is responsible to pay the bill, then we will send the bill to one, some or all of them.
If necessary, we will send a form for you to complete and return, so we can see who should be paying the bill.
The form will need to be returned to us within 21 days, and if it is not, we may fine you if you do not give the information we ask for.
To decide who needs to pay the Council Tax, look down the list below and when you reach the first description that applies to a person in your home, they will be the person who has to pay the bill.
1. The resident freeholder(s) [e.g. the owner occupier(s)].
2. The resident leaseholder(s) (e.g. the tenant(s) under the Housing Act 1988.)
3. The resident statutory or secure tenant(s).
4. The resident licensee(s).
5. The resident(s).
6 The owner(s) (this is when there is no resident).
A resident is a person aged 18 years or more, who has their main home in the property.
There are some occasions where the above rules do not apply and the owner has to pay the bill. These are:
- Properties occupied by more than one household, where each resident has their own room and shares facilities like a kitchen or bathroom. For instance, bed-sits. Council Tax calls these properties houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
- Residential care homes, nursing homes, hospices and hostels.
- Religious communities such as monasteries and convents.
- Properties occupied by people who are employed in domestic service.
- Properties where a minister of religion for any faith lives and works.
- Properties occupied by asylum seekers.
If you live in one of these properties you do not need to pay the Council Tax as the owner has to. The owner may ask you to pay towards the charge, dependent on the terms of any rent agreement you have, however your name will not be on the bill.
If you receive the bill but do not agree that you are the person who has to pay it, you can
appeal against our decision.
