Am I entitled to redundancy pay?

You are entitled to statutory redundancy pay if you have worked for your employer for at least 2 continuous years. The amount depends on your age, length of service and weekly pay, capped at £751 per week.

What is unfair dismissal?

Unfair dismissal occurs when your employer dismisses you without a fair reason or without following a fair procedure. You need 2 years of service to claim, reducing to 6 months from January 2027.

When is statutory sick pay paid?

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is now paid from Day 1 of illness following the Employment Rights Act 2025. The current rate is £123.25 per week for up to 28 weeks.

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1. This is guidance — and only ever guidance

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2. AI can make mistakes

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🏛 Council Tax Guide

Council Tax: Discounts, Exemptions & Appeals in 2026

Confused about your council tax bill, think you're paying too much, or facing enforcement action? This guide explains who pays, what discounts and exemptions exist, and how to appeal.

✅ Last verified: July 2026📚 Sources: GOV.UK, Citizens Advice🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England & Wales

⚖ Know Your Rights at a Glance

Single person discount: 25% off if you are the only adult in the property.
Full exemptions: Some properties and people are completely exempt — including students, severely mentally impaired people, and empty properties.
Council Tax Reduction (CTR): Means-tested support for people on low incomes — replaces Council Tax Benefit. Apply to your local council.
Banding appeals: You can appeal your property's council tax band if you think it's wrong — band it incorrectly and you could be overpaying significantly.
Enforcement: Council tax debt is a priority debt — non-payment can lead to magistrates' court, bailiffs and even imprisonment in extreme cases.
Disability reduction: If your home has been adapted for a disabled resident, you may be entitled to a band reduction.

Who pays council tax?

Council tax is charged on most domestic properties. The liable person is usually the resident — in order of priority: resident owner, resident tenant, resident licensee, resident with no legal interest (e.g. squatter), or the owner if the property is empty.

Some people are disregarded for council tax purposes — meaning they are not counted when working out discounts. Disregarded people include full-time students, student nurses, care workers, apprentices, people who are severely mentally impaired, and people in certain types of detention. If only disregarded people live in a property, the liable person gets a 50% discount.

Discounts and exemptions

Key discounts and exemptions:

Single person discount (25%): One adult living alone, or with only disregarded people
Students: Full-time students are disregarded; a property occupied only by full-time students is exempt
Severely mentally impaired: Disregarded; sole residents get 100% exemption
Empty properties: Some councils give discounts, others charge a premium (up to 300% for long-term empty homes)
Disability band reduction: If a resident needs or uses an extra room or has a wheelchair used indoors, property may be billed at a lower band
Care leavers under 25: Many councils have policies exempting care leavers

Council Tax Reduction (CTR)

Council Tax Reduction (formerly Council Tax Benefit) is means-tested support available from your local council. Each council runs its own scheme so the rules and amounts vary. Generally:

Available to people on low incomes including those on Universal Credit
Can cover up to 100% of your council tax bill (depends on your council)
Apply directly to your local council — it is not automatic
Apply as soon as your income changes — it is not backdated easily

Appealing your council tax band

If you think your property is in the wrong council tax band, you can appeal. Properties are banded A–H based on their value as at 1 April 1991 in England and 1 April 2003 in Wales. Steps:

Check your neighbours' bands at voa.service.gov.uk (England/Wales)
If yours seems high compared to similar properties, contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to request a review
If the VOA doesn't resolve it, appeal to an independent Valuation Tribunal

Warning: a review could result in your band going up as well as down. Check comparable properties first.

Check whether you qualify for a discount or exemption

Check your household against the disregarded/exempt categories above. If someone in your home qualifies, contact your council.

Apply for Council Tax Reduction immediately if on a low income

Contact your local council. Don't delay — reductions are not easily backdated.

Check your neighbours' bands

Use voa.service.gov.uk to compare. If yours is higher than similar nearby properties, you may have grounds for a banding appeal.

Challenge incorrect bills in writing

If your bill is wrong (wrong discount applied, wrong liable person named), write to the council's council tax department with evidence. Keep copies.

Act quickly on enforcement notices

If you receive a liability order, act immediately. Contact the council to agree a payment plan before bailiffs are instructed.

🏛 Check Your Council Tax Rights

Describe your council tax situation and get guidance on discounts, exemptions and appeals.

Use the Free Checker →

Frequently asked questions

I'm a student — do I pay council tax?

Full-time students are disregarded for council tax. A property occupied only by full-time students is exempt. If you share with a non-student, the non-student pays the full amount (no single person discount applies to them for a shared household).

Can bailiffs force entry for council tax debt?

Council tax bailiffs (certificated enforcement agents) can force peaceful entry to levy goods after they have previously gained peaceful entry on a prior visit. They cannot force initial entry into a home. They must follow strict rules on what they can and cannot take.

I've been told I'm in a higher band than my neighbours — how do I challenge this?

Contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) at voa.service.gov.uk to request a review. If unresolved, appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. The process is free.

Can I get a council tax reduction if I'm on Universal Credit?

Yes — you should apply to your local council for Council Tax Reduction. Most councils have schemes for UC claimants. Apply immediately as it is not backdated automatically.

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

Your council will issue reminders, then a final notice, then apply to the magistrates' court for a liability order. With a liability order they can instruct bailiffs, deduct from your wages or benefits, or in extreme cases (wilful refusal) seek committal to prison.

My property is empty — do I still pay council tax?

Usually yes. Most councils charge full council tax or more on empty properties. Some offer a discount for short-term empty periods. Long-term empty homes can face a premium of up to 300%.

What is the Valuation Tribunal?

An independent tribunal that hears appeals about council tax banding and liability disputes. Free to use. Find it at valuationtribunal.gov.uk.

📞 Free help and support

Valuation Office Agency: voa.service.gov.uk

Citizens Advice: 0800 144 8848

Valuation Tribunal: valuationtribunal.gov.uk

⚠ Important disclaimer: This guide covers council tax in England and Wales as at July 2026. Scotland has a similar but separate council tax system. General legal information only — not legal advice. Verify with ACAS, GOV.UK or Citizens Advice before acting. ukworkrights.co.uk — Not a law firm.