Check you’re in the right band as council tax is hiked

COUNCIL tax bills will rise next month by up to 4 per cent, heaping more pressure on family budgets. But some households could lower their payments – and even get a rebate on previous bills.

Check your property is not in too high a council tax band. If it is, you could be owed hundreds of pounds. To check enter your postcode into the website gov. uk/ council- taxbands and compare your banding to properties in the neighbourhood. If similar homes are in a lower tax band, you may have a case for a revaluation.

Anyone wishing to challenge their banding can ask the Valuation Office Agency or Scottish Assessors Association for a revaluation. But be aware that this could also push the property into a higher band, leading to bigger payments.

Some households on low incomes or benefits may qualify for discounts. Anyone who lives alone is eligible to a single person’s reduction, slicing 25 per cent off their bill. Apprentices, student nurses, carers – even monks and nuns – may be able to halve their tax bill.

Those exempt from council tax include full-time students, anyone in Armed Forces accommodation, people living in care homes or hospitals and those with severe mental impairments.