Martin Lewis' Guide to Council Tax

[@Aarrenrhonda3]

Because so many people overpaid for homes during a period when interest rates were low, I believe there will be a housing crisis because these people are in debt. If housing prices continue to fall and, for whatever reason, they can no longer afford the house and it goes into foreclosure, they will have no equity because they will not make any money if they sell. I feel that many people will be affected by this, especially given the predicted mass layoffs and fast rising living costs.

[@Peterl4290]

I recommend investing in shares to balance out your real estate assets. Even the toughest recessions can give wonderful purchasing opportunities if you are prudent. Furthermore, volatility can create wonderful short-term buy and sell opportunities. Although this is not financial advise, you should buy right now because money isn't king right now!

[@larrypaul-cw9nk]

You are correct. With the help of an investing coach, I was able to diversify my 450K portfolio across markets, and I was able to create a little over $830K in net profit by using high dividend yield stocks, ETFs, and bonds.

[@sabastinenoah]

Would you mind sharing some information on the adviser who assisted you? Since the age of 18, I've been saving for a pension through a company program. As I became more taxed, I enhanced my workplace pension with a SIPP (tax advantages). I'm now 50 and would like to aggressively grow my wealth; there are a couple cars I still want to drive and mega-vacations I still want to take.

[@larrypaul-cw9nk]

Her name is Annette Christine Conte can't divulge much. Most likely, the internet should have her basic info, you can research if you like

[@sabastinenoah]

Thank you for sharing; I will need all the help I can get because I recently sold some of my assets in order to invest in the stock market.

[@johnchoice1371]

Council taxes are too high. They keep putting it up every year. How can anyone agree with this?

[@ox3965]

I think my council tax is extortion. £278 a month for doing what.

[@adams7405]

I am on a middle terrace flanked by 3 bedroom houses yet were in the same band...thanks to Martin received £1500 back and a lowered band.

[@mal7175]

Make it a true progressive tax, £500k house and a £10millon house and you’re paying the same council tax in most areas. In some London boroughs monthly council tax is less than up north?! The middle class are being ripped off and the rich who already use tax avoidance schemes are laughing

[@lilscottieme]

Why have council tax based on the worth of your house. Simple have one tax based on your income and it’s up to government to decide how to spend that money. Scrap this system where we pay council tax, national insurance, income tax and VAT

[@mal7175]

​@@lilscottieme Your suggestion would not work. My suggestion would work. Council tax is implemented as a percentage of property value in stronger economies like the US and Canada. It's fairer for the middle class. Over 30 years tax payments relative to value looks like this: US/Canada average homeowner - 50% UK average homeowner - 30% UK top 1% homeowner - 3% Whilst that happens, if house prices appreciate by 5% a year in the UK annually it looks like this: UK average homeowner: +£15k UK top 1% homeowner: +£200k That my friend is why the middle class is being eliminated in the UK. The top 1% has pretty much no tax on their wealth so continue to dump it all into property or stocks (hold your stocks for a year, 10% tax vs 40%). Whilst the average working family pays 10x the equivalent property tax and can barely save to invest.

[@SpreadTheGospel365]

Value of a house has nothing to do with services the council provide.

[@madmountainman5197]

@@lilscottieme Ah, but then you'll have to sack all those civil servants and managers that run the council tax systems.

[@johnchoice1371]

@@mal7175 Not necessarily fair. What if you worked hard to pay over the years for a better home and then you end up on a lower income in later life? Better to base it on current income.

[@EclecticMusicality]

why is Martin not brave enough to say that council tax is not enforceable and not law?

[@yusufbozat4666]

It’s about time someone said it

[@changaman86]

Just stop paying it. You're under no legal obligation to even pay it anyway. I haven't paid it for years, i keep asking them for the contract I supposedly signed and my legal obligation to pay. They never reply, all they do is hire a room within the magistrates court and then send out a fake summons/liability order (liability orders ceased in 2003) then it gets passed to an enforcement agent, they cant do anything so then it goes back to the council. The amount of times i've even rang up the magistrates court to ask if i have a court summons in my name and they always tell me i don't have one. Its all a complete scam. More and more people are starting to wake up. Haven't paid water and utilities for years either. LOSE THE FEAR!!!!

[@simoncollins6529]

I haven't paid for water for 13 years, and I haven't paid gas and electricity for 2 years. The council tax is my next target.

[@Oceansgreen]

*LOSE

[@daviniarobbins9298]

Actually if there are 2 adults in a home paying council tax that is effectually a 50% discount if you share the council tax bill. It is unfair on people who live alone.

[@Salopian_mumbles]

People who live alone get the single occupancy discount.

[@hamza3p342]

@@Salopian_mumblesbut a single person is paying 75%

[@grahamcook9289]

The real inequity is that Council Tax is not based upon your ability to pay. A local income tax would be the better more equitable solution.

[@Mavermick1]

@@hamza3p342 So does 3/4 of a bin lorry come for your bin?

[@hamza3p342]

@@Mavermick1 no but if you’re a single person then you’re obviously going to have less waste. So the overall cost of picking it and recycling it is less

[@johnchoice1371]

Even IN the correct band, it's still TOO HIGH!

[@Antieverything-vp6cb]

My advice to Martin would be, Cancel your direct debit and when the council write to you demanding payment, ASK FOR AN INVOICE.

[@billthompson4877]

Hi. Also a VAT number

[@garethhodgkinson249]

What a massive com council tax is, outrageous to empty the bin once a week.

[@wakaflockaproject]

Once every 2 weeks in some places

[@Oceansgreen]

Once every three weeks where I live… no wonder there’s fly tipping🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Jenoside575]

this tax is fraud. Ask for an invoice

[@over-engineered]

I had a brand new 3 bed house re-banded from E to D in 1998, but they left all the other identical houses on the estate on band E, so I suspect all those houses are still paying too much!

[@ramsaymcewan3916]

there's no liability to pay council tax

[@Wayne-wm6wq]

There's not no I've stopped paying from this year council said I might get bailiif s around but don't worry they can't do anything council said that Richard vobes is good on you tube about it

[@AbigailBrown-wk7xl]

Council tax discriminates against the poorest in society who are on low income. Scrap council tax

[@paulm1162]

i don't believe in council tax at all, as i live alone, yet the council tax is for schools, libraries, sports centres, street lighting etc etc, none of which i use,

[@nikki-qm9wz]

Its ridiculous council tax 😮

[@galaxion62]

It's also unlawful, illegal, & if you know how, it's unenforceable too.

[@melinmove]

No obligation to pay

[@galaxion62]

Correct - once you know what the score is for real here, it is lawfully unenforceable.

[@changaman86]

Correct!!

[@Baldnesz]

Britain is broken Britain needs Reform

[@kennethknight7870]

what about where you have a basic 1947 house but some neighbours have built extensons and built into the loft which makes their homes more expensive

[@thebeneficiary]

All mp don’t pay council tax they claim expenses for it…the irony…

[@ianbarnes961]

I have twice had a council tax band lowered, so it does work if you appeal, but... in Somerset you only have 6 months after moving in.

[@kylekyle2445]

Watch the end of the video

[@ianbarnes961]

I gave up watching when Martin started repeating what he had said earlier. Thanks for the info.

[@xprs1257]

The British public.. Cashcows for the elite.

[@nikki-qm9wz]

Do away with bands & just everyone pay £50 we pay enough tax 😮

[@barrybarry6592]

Reform policy is to re calculate council tax, do you think that will be down?

[@ma-li3935]

@@barrybarry6592 The country is over Governed. Many councils need to be amalgamated where assets can be shared and running costs reduced, also the dead wood and red tape removed.

[@angelmc5370]

all taxes are unlawful , NO CONTRACT NO CONSENT, ITS THEFT

[@travelwell6049]

They’ve had plenty of time to sort out the council tax bands. I don’t care which government happens to be in power, the local councils could reevaluate whole areas when people have challenged it. The council offices are already overworked. It’s taken me 4 weeks to get a recalculation and after this they are going to be completely overrun.

[@mjsteier]

And the people would kick off , thats why they haven't been near it for 30years remember it goes up on average 6, 7% every single year , so we have had it put up every year without fail for the last 30 years!

[@michaelpyatt831]

One household on a street complained that their neighbour had built a swimming pool and deck without permission. The council came round and upped the swimming pool houses council tax and also everyone else’s on that street :(

[@fridafrida4961]

😂

[@rgyhad484]

Martin for Prime Minister ❤😊😅

[@ElectricPharmacy]

stopped thinking about council tax 2 mins and 40 seconds in...thanks Susanna a lot of people have been waiting years for that lol

[@grunge_surf_witch_uk9130]

As a Carer and work part time mine changes constantly it’s so hard to budget!! One min it’s £100 more then they give me £30 back then in same day in second letter with it up by £150, as someone on poverty wages it can break me each month!!!

[@Gray-zi5bp]

When you pay council tax the council tax goes to federal government then the federal government give it to the local councils but not all of it. But a one penny of that is going to fund legal wars. You are breaking the law. That is why I am not paid known for 2 years.. so don't pay it just keep the council tax in a private bank or fund so if it goes to court and for some crazy reason you lose you got the money to pay it.. but remember the court doesn't want to break the the law neither.... It is a criminal offence to fund terrorists. 💯🇬🇧🇯🇲👍

[@flowers1-2-1]

Council Tax is illegal on households. Only businesses should b paying it. It is extortion👍🏾

[@C.Miller_Extruded_CAMpers]

Where do you find the template letter when they tell you " you have been in the property for more than 6 months "??

[@chrysalis4126]

It is silly, my daughter is in a band two above mine because her flat is newly built whereas mine was built in the 50s.

[@FreaksSpeaks]

Yes, they should increase yours above your daughter's.😂

[@mark369Q]

Illegal tax no obligation to pay it show me the contract never paid it never will same as my self assessment not paid that for 3yrs no Law to pay tax show me the Law to pat tax April Fools

[@Mr__Chicken]

Finance act mate

[@healingescape3319]

@@Mr__Chickenlegislation law is a rule and regulations

[@healingescape3319]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Onetwothree789]

@@Mr__ChickenThey tax you as living in a dwelling, I don’t live in a dwelling.

[@pauledwards5954]

DONT PAY

[@jebadiahconcerto7344]

I havnt paid it for 8 years...........................do not pay it.

[@miralutynska9623]

How did you deal with the harassment, please? They send letters, trying to scare you with summons, courts, etc. Funny enough though, there's never a name or sign on those letters. It's all a massive Scam it seems.🤔

[@jebadiahconcerto7344]

@@miralutynska9623 Yes, I told them I am withholding CT because of wars they invest in, arms sales to other countries, scaring the public with lies, the social contract has been broken and until they stop I wont be paying it. They send it to the debt collectors, then it goes back to the council and it goes like that in circles. I do not fear anything because they use fear to control people.

[@jebadiahconcerto7344]

@@miralutynska9623 AND THIS IS WHY THERE IS NEVER A NAME OR SIGNATURE ON IT....Any person who (a)delivers or causes to be delivered to any other person any paper falsely purporting to be a copy of any summons or other process of [F1the county court] , knowing it to be false; or (b)acts or professes to act under any false colour or pretence of the process or authority of [F1the county court] ; shall be guilty of an offence and shall for each offence be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years.

[@davidnettleton7084]

Don't recalculate on value of property but on type of property, eg Apartment or flat Band A: Terraced house Band B: Semi-Detached Band C: Detached Band D: Large Apartment or Penthouse Band E: Large Terraced House Band F: Large Semi-Detached Band G: Mansion or Stately Home Band H. Definition of 'Large' 5 bedrooms or more. Empty rooms are classed as bedrooms, so as to avoid cheating.

[@ronlines2314]

The last time the house I bought in 2018, sold in 1998 for £66k. I paid £420k. It was a band C paying £1500 in council tax for the first year when I moved in (seems about right going off the 1991 idea) then after 're-adjusting' for value, I'm now a band E paying £3k a year. Great 🤨

[@johnking5174]

Northern Ireland have their own version of council tax called their rates bill

[@kathypayne2172]

Thats what we used to have....until they thought of a mother way of fleecing us. We are paying extortionate rates for everything. I have to live within my means so should they.

[@Pomarium]

The council are a corporation. Therefore, We should be receiving an invoice and vat number for the money we are paying to them same as any other corporation. This scam has to stop.

[@kinggeoffrey3801]

Keep dreaming if you think you will get a cheaper rate.

[@ninaezra1067]

Council properties in High band should not be valued same as other private property

[@Rancid-wd3ty]

Oooh multi millionaire Lewis please tell me how to save 20p off a bill, don't know what I would do without you.

[@kathypayne2172]

If Martyn was interested....why is he not tackling the goverment anout the £365 we are paying the energy companies in standing charges.

[@WilliamGreenley]

Council is a corporation. We have never signed up to this contract of council tax therefore is it is illegal. Why are you talking about it as exist when it doesn’t?

[@frankkirk3162]

Councils allways use high band because it gives them highest payments coruption at its highest just greed regardles if its one bedroom or 4 bedroom or betsit pay the same

[@lorrh9753]

My daughter's bill just keeps increasing...she lives in a one bed flat and it's apparently band b....it's an illegal tax anyway, we truly live in robin hood times😢

[@Christine-d2s]

Trouble is most properties are worth a great deal more now and council tax will be much higher for most of the population

[@janschembri2666]

You still need to pay council tax if no adult lives in the property and even if the property is unfurnished. Absolute insanity.

[@richardharrington6515]

Pay council tax of £171.00 on a two-bed terraced home and on top of that a £57.73 for the estate management company per month, because the whole estate is ex-army barracks and unadopted by the council.

[@JustTakeAMoment]

Yes but you need to have strong evidence to back up your claim which clearly shows that your property has been put into the wrong band.

[@gsampson97]

Just so people know that if you have a 2nd property empty i.e. you're moving into a new one and waiting for that to sell and no one is living in it you probably won't get the no council tax to pay, that depends on each individual council when the property is an empty 2nd one

[@stuartcrabbe123]

Would I expect to see a difference to council tax bands if my apartment is part of a discounted market scheme? Because my apartment would technically be fixed at a lower value than next door

[@AntiWokeXyCitizen]

You may have the wrong band with your neighbours , but the value of the property may have gone up when you or they have moved out, it may push council tax to another band. My neighbours moved out recently and the new neighbours now pay the next band even though it was previously band D. The value of my home has gone up £45-50,000 in 4 years.

[@hazelb7218]

I live in a one bed flat in a block of flats but i am paying the same as others who live in two bed or 3 bedroom flats...we are all in the same band....

[@adams7405]

Contest it and they should back date it

[@jonshadow4052]

I live in a block of 4 flats. Last year, I retired, and council tax stopped.' This year, pension went up , council tax bill came again, no pension credits as new pension came into effect from April last.😢 year

[@JustTakeAMoment]

The reality is it wouldn't change very much. You would have to look at a replacement system, something akin fo local sales tax which is paid to the council where the internet buyer lives or that the shop is in. That tax would be added onto the bottom line of a purchase to replace the council tax. Because it's added to the subtotal, you wouldn't see the cost of your shopping until you go to pay for the goods. This is the only mechanism that could possibly be used to replace council tax but might take some time to put into place.

[@lansdorf]

Bring back poll tax, Asians might have two family’s living in one house.

[@johnj4860]

Did I hear correctly? No council tax in Northern Ireland?

[@brianbridle951]

Slight snag. For those who extended their homes and raised it's worth, would not be able to afford to stay in the home they extended/built, which is unfair. Especially if they are now retired.

[@zeroogwomenbluechip9783]

I tried getting a reduction as live on own was denied.

[@SoloSi2024]

I would like to give an example of the shere madness of current council tax rules in The UK! Sadly, I recently lost my mum, and we inherited her retirement flat. The 6 month exemption has ended, and the council now wants to charge us the FULL council tax amount, despite noone living there. Yes, if someone occupies it, they get a single person allowance, paying less whilst actually using services!!! Due to this, we are now going to rent it out, and the tenant will get his single person allowance. The council will now lose money, compared to what they were going to charge me for not using any services at all. 🤣

[@SoloSi2024]

So a single occupant pays 75% council tax, but a couple pays 50% each? 🤔

[@juliaw7533]

100's of thousand succeed? I'd like to challenge that statement. Lets have the accurate figures. Note: The reality is that your band could go UP or down!

[@DuleciaDriver-u4j]

I live in a residential caravan on a holiday site so the company pay tax on the whole site so why do I have to pay council tax also site rents on these parks are between 3-4000 pound a year

[@juliaw7533]

Why should anyone pay more for the same services Martin?

[@Progressive.G]

What if your property was built 30 years AFTER 1991? 🤔

[@patruddick]

how much council tax do you pay if you purchase a chateux in France or else where .with a lot of land

[@ivanglossop5106]

Biggest rip off. The poll tax were better.

[@Andrew-M.Morris]

What law obligates men and women to pay Council Tax? Take all the time you need!

[@gmo4250]

Simple, the Local Government Finance Act 1992, Persons liable to pay council tax. No doubt you have read or viewed something that claims acts are not laws or some other nonsense.

[@Andrew-M.Morris]

@@gmo4250 Now go to the Interpretations Act 1978 Schedule 1 "Words and expressions defined" for the meaning of "person". "Person" includes a body of persons corporate or unincorporate. If you identify as a "person" you misrepresent your true standing as a man or woman which in turn obligates you to pay council tax like the UK rule book legislates. If you know your true standing as a man or woman (reality) there is no law that obligates you to pay for a corporate bill. A Corporation masquerading as a government created a birth certificated character for you to use in order to take part in commerce. Little John Henry born to the family Doe was given a state created character called JOHN HENRY DOE (a person). If little John Henry is tricked into thinking he is actually JOHN HENRY DOE through state indoctrination centres (schools) unfortunately John Henry will one day find himself paying Council Tax. Tax is paid for the use of their character. A legal NAME is not you, it doesn't belong to you and you will suffer until you are able to detach from it. God bless all 🙏

[@Onetwothree789]

@@gmo4250yes I have, the councils own handbook states there is no mandatory obligation to pay.

[@gmo4250]

@@Onetwothree789 What council and where can I find this online? No such information exists in their handbook, because that would be contrary to the legislation and every single council that publishes the obligation to pay on their own websites.

[@kennethmason4406]

My poll tax was £375 a year roughly now its near £ 2000 for being smart in the 80s trouble is they waste the money cos its not theirs

[@kevatnorthfield]

Any changes would increase the tax. Thats the only reason governments would change the system.

[@johnchristmas7522]

ABOUT TO GO THROUGH THE ROOF WITH LABOUR

[@mgbroadsterJ]

So you use your own money to upgrade the property ,then you have fo pay more council tax .

[@mr80s-on6qr]

Well you got to pay for the boat people who do nothing but sit in a 5 star hotel all day no mention in the vote next week 😂imagine voting labour 😂😂😂😂before your lefty’s have a break down my father moved us out years ago THANK GOD

[@AndrewLord]

Yawn

[@Jones7095]

Country is financially broke and you think your council are going to decrease your council tax. Good luck 😂 😂 😂

[@Onetwothree789]

It’s a scam anyway, their own handbook says there in mandatory obligation to pay.

[@Christine-d2s]

Surely most properties are worth more nowadays so council tax would be higher

[@Jamie-ro6sx]

Martin should be P,M 👍

[@marciaebanks2774]

People should not pay council tax

[@jblogs1000]

as much use as a chocolate fireguard

[@areyoutryingtosay]

"Nobody could accuse him of not being thorough" - Well seeing as he talks nonsense about no adults = no council tax then I'm accusing him of not being thorough. So an empty property with no adults should be no council tax.... no charged a premium

[@darrenmackenzie1892]

Or child who has a disability also gets put down to the next lower band

[@peeg09]

Always Welsh Scottish & English advice. The program is called Good Morning Britain not Good Morning UK I suppose. Northern Ireland is always on the outside. Another reason a United Ireland probably would make sense. Would take at least a generation or too, to fully amalgamate but...

[@Joe74854]

The council here in the south haven’t done bad as they have raised it very nearly 5% every year for the last 5 at least

[@barrybarry6592]

Keep on moaning and do nothing will yield the same results. Take back control on a local level and be accountable.

[@barrybarry6592]

Quite correct

[@Boo-pv4hn]

Sadly you won’t always be accepted as severely impaired even if those conditions apply to you

[@xinma6034]

Taxes so cheap I take cash don’t pay taxes come find me hahaha

[@Adam-v5c8c]

The guide is dont pay it there dont do anything 😂

[@shogun2190]

Martin you say its law, it is said to be unconstitutional and the full process of passing such legislation requires a public notice, have you ever found it?

[@Onetwothree789]

There is only one law....do no harm, Parliament cannot make the law.

[@shogun2190]

@@Onetwothree789 true for man, so many rules and policies for persons, no harm a victim must exist, a creation of man can never be above man.

[@Christine-d2s]

According to this I should be in band H, I am now in band …………sshh

[@kathypayne2172]

When houses were valued 1n 1991 they were probably worth what they said. We have had increase after increase 5 % up to 10 % they also made parish councils extra police extra fire brigade extra prefix (not sure what this was for) extra. So they more than kept up with what we are paying. We are just cash cows. Do uou think its going to turn out cheaper for most people. No we brought our houses knowing what the council tax was. You cannot expect people to stomach this.

[@simoncollins6529]

It's great to see so many people in the comments who are now aware of the Fraudulent imposition of this tax by councils.

[@lolatylar2882]

What about new builds ?

[@versaceviper9798]

Council tax should be based on Sqft of the property.

[@huudielbo728]

All out gravy-train Quango's are bankrupt, from No 10 down to the local council.

[@karenrogers9034]

My house want Not even Built back then

[@tobychenderson]

Just give your property back, ower pays. Usufruct interest, usufructuary roles and obligations, and reversionary interests and all future earned moneys. Give it all back, make the government your securities intermediary. It's all about securities, trusts and estates. Nothing more, nothing less. Take control of your Benefactor Trust. You will own nothing and be happy. Live long and prosper as the beneficiary. Your BC is evidence of a perfected lien against your Benefactor trust

[@todellery9760]

Pray rooms ?

[@phyllischamberlain7467]

What about I’m paying my council tax and Next Door is on benefit do they pay council tax? Are we paying it for them? And that’s why I put it up all the time why don’t you let them pay some money they get benefit money they can pay some of it so take it off all the time we paid for our proper.

[@marketajohnson5018]

I’m a single mother, disabled on PIP with disabled child on DLA and I still have to pay council tax so I assume even people on benefits do have to pay

[@nesanesa9547]

WHO SRE YOU VOTING FOR TOMORROW