Cutting Council Tax

A question about : Cutting Council Tax

Council tax will 'treble by 2007' >

I live in a band E property. Annual charge 2004- 2005 Ј1467.00.
Single persons discount give me -Ј366.75
Total cost is Ј 1100.25

New average tax will be Ј1,556

So any suggestions as to how I can keep my council tax as low as possible?

TIA

Peter

Best answers:

• There are only two ways.
  Move to a smaller house or move to a cheaper area.
  Another way would be to get a lodger and pass on some of the costs.
  I can't help thinking though that you can't be too hard up if you live in a band E property on your own
• you can always try to deband your property. I tried it on a previous property and managed to deband it by one band (I had initially asked for two), saving me a couple of hundred pounds a year. I have just moved and am going through the same process again. I believe i will have a result this time round, saving me a few hundred quid. You need to contact your council tax office and ask for the valuation officer and tell him you want to make an appeal to deband your property.
  good luck
  mich
• If you, or someone else living in the house is disabled it is possible, under certain circumstances to get your band reduced by one.
  I think most of what you have read in the press is probably media hype!
• the fact he lives in a Band E property bears no reflection on ability to pay - ie pensioners, inherited property.