Council Tax FAQs

What is council tax?

Council tax helps to finance local government and other local services. The money raised by council tax is used to make up the difference between the funding we get from central government and the money we need to supply all the services needed by the citizens of Stoke-on-Trent. It was introduced in April 1993 and replaced the community charge.

Why do I have to pay council tax?

Council tax is paid by every occupier or owner of a domestic property (houses, flats and so on). You are contributing towards the cost of services provided by us, the Police Authority and Fire Brigade. We collect all the charges and then pass on the amounts needed to those other organisations.

How is my council tax calculated?

There are eight council tax bands - A through to H - and each band has a level of council tax set for it. We calculate how much we need and then divide that amount by the number of properties in the area. The result is the amount of council tax payable for a home in band D. Council Tax for the other bands are a proportion of band D.

Who works out what band my property is in?

The listing officer of the Valuation Office determines what the value of property is for council tax purposes. They are completely independent from the city council. They make sure the council tax band list is kept accurate and up-to-date. For further information visit the Valuation Office Agency website. This site also contains information about how to appeal if you think your property valuation band is wrong.

What do I do if I think that my property is in the wrong valuation band?

Anybody has the right to appeal against their banding. Appeals should be made to the listing officer at the Valuation Office.

I have appealed against the banding of my property. Do I still have to pay?

Yes. Council tax is payable on the basis of the band currently appearing on the list.  You remain liable to pay the amount you have been billed until your property's band is altered. If the value is reduced, any overpayment will be refunded or credited against a future bill.

Why is my next door neighbour's banding different to mine?

If the properties are identical, they should be in the same band. However, if there are differences, such as an extension, this could account for the difference. The range of values in the bands is quite wide. If you believe the band of your property is wrong you may make an appeal to the listing officer on their website.

Can I have my council tax bill reduced?

There are a number of ways in which your bill may be reduced. You may be entitled to a discount based on the make-up of your household or your property may be exempt from council tax. Click here for details of discounts and exemptions. You may be entitled to council tax benefit depending on your income and family circumstances.

What happens if I no longer own or rent the property?

If your liability to pay the council tax for a property changes, you should tell the council tax section.

My property is empty or soon will be, do I still have to pay council tax?

Reduced charges can be claimed in certain instances.  For example when a property has been vacated and all furniture and effects have been removed, a charge-free period of up to six months is available. This will end before the six months are up if the property becomes occupied or furnished. At the end of the six months, a charge of 100% will become payable even if the property remains unfurnished. 

How do I pay my council tax?

Click here to find out where to pay and methods of payment.

What happens if I can't pay my council tax?

If you have problems paying your council tax bill please let us know immediately. We may take enforcement action to recover any payments which are overdue. It is important that you contact our council tax section to discuss the problem as soon as possible if you are having difficulty paying your council tax . We may be able to help you without having to take recovery action.

Why can't I make payments at the end of the month?

Under the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 we have specified that council tax shall be payable on the first of the month from April to January. The amount of instalments due and the date on which they must be paid are shown on your council tax bill.

If you alter the amount or the date payable, you are not paying in accordance with the instalment plan you have been given. This means that during the course of the year you may receive reminders in respect of any arrears. Under the same regulations we need only to send you two reminders in any one year before your right to pay by instalments is lost and the full amount becomes due. This may appear harsh to people who make regular payments, but you must be aware that by making late instalment payments you run the risk of receiving reminders and having your right to pay by instalments being cancelled.

Although we appreciate that it may be more convenient for some customers to pay towards the end of the month rather than the beginning, we have to budget in much the same way as any typical family household, only on a much larger scale. If a large number of people delayed paying their instalments, this would affect our cashflow and would inevitably lead to increased borrowing and would consequently increase the cost of providing services to you.

Direct Debit is the most cost-effective and convenient way to pay your bill, and to recognise this, we offer a choice of payment dates to suit your budget. Instalment payments can be made on 1 (12 payments), 5, 10 or 25 of each month.

Direct Debit also has other advantages - you will:

• not have to queue to pay your council tax;
• not have to remember to pay each month; and
• have the guarantee that in the unlikely event of an error being made by us or the bank, you will be given a full and immediate refund.

If you would like to change to Direct Debit, details can be found here 

Why have you sent me a reminder/final notice/summons for my council tax?

If your council tax payments are not made on time we will send you a reminder notice asking you to bring your payments up-to-date. If you don't pay the amount asked for on the reminder notice within seven days you will lose the right to pay by instalments, and the full amount must be paid within a further seven days. If you don't pay the full amount we will send you a magistrates' court summons, which adds costs to the amount you already owe.

Under council tax rules we are only required to issue two reminder notices in any one financial year. If you fall behind for a third time in the year, we will send you a final notice telling you that you have lost your right to pay by instalments and a summons will be issued unless payment in full is made.

At the court summons hearing we will apply for a liability order against you which will allow the city council to take further action to collect the amount that you owe. This might involve one or more of the following:

• We may send an attachment of earnings order to your employer asking him to take money out of your wages and pay it directly to the council
• If are receiving Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance, we may ask the Department of Work and Pensions to take money out of your benefits and pay it to the council
• We may pass the liability order to bailiffs who can remove goods or furniture to the value of the debt which can then be sold at public auction
• If the bailiff is unable to collect the debt that you owe we may decide to make you bankrupt, or place a charging order on your property, which allows us to collect the debt when you sell it. Ultimately we may ask the magistrates to commit you to prison 

Details of council tax recovery costs for 2006/2007 can be found here.

The Citizens Advice Bureau offers round-the-clock advice and guidance on benefits, housing and employment and on debt, consumer and legal issues through their Adviceguide website.