About your Council Tax

• What is Council Tax?
• Why do I have to pay Council Tax?
• Why am I the person named on the bill?
• Can I have my Council Tax bill sent to me by email?
• How much Council Tax do I have to pay for the year?
• How do I know how much Council Tax to pay?
• How is the amount of my Council Tax calculated?
• I live in a parish, how much has been added to my Council Tax because of the parish council tax?
• I Live In Chester And Work Abroad Or I Live Somewhere Else And Live In Chester For Work Purposes. Why Do I Have To Pay Council Tax For My Property in Chester?

 

What Is Council Tax?

Council Tax is an important part of the financing of Local Government and other local services.

The money raised by Council Tax is used to make up the difference between the money we get from central Government and the money we need to deliver all of the services needed by you.

Council Tax was brought into effect on the 1st April 1993 and is governed by legislation.

Why Do I Have To Pay Council Tax?

Council Tax is paid by every person who lives in or owns a property (houses, flats etc.).

Your Council Tax goes towards the cost of services provided by Chester City Council, Cheshire County Council, the Police and Fire Services. We collect all the charges and then pass the required amounts to the other services.

Why Am I The Person Named On The Bill?

There are six situations under which a person can be liable for Council Tax.

Who ever comes first on the list below will be the person who has to pay the Council Tax for the property:

• Residents who have a freehold interest in the property.
• Residents who have a leasehold interest in the property.
• Residents who are statutory or secure tenant in the property.
• Residents who have a contractual licence to occupy the property.
• Residents.
• Owners.

 

Can I have my Council Tax bill sent to me by email?

To get your future years' council tax bill's sent to you by email you need to email us at counciltax@chester.gov.uk remembering to include your:

• full name
• address
• Council tax reference number 
• email address you want the bill sending to (in the message box).

Please also let us know if you change your email address.

 

How much Council Tax do I have to pay for the year?

You can see how much Council Tax you have to pay by viewing the Council Tax charge 2008-09 page

 

How Do I Know How Much Council Tax To Pay?

You will be sent a Council Tax Bill at the beginning of each financial year. This will tell you what you need to pay and when. Payment is due on or before the due date.

We presume that your circumstances will remain the same for the year; therefore you must notify us immediately if there is a change.

 

How Is The Amount Of My Council Tax Calculated?

There are 8 Council Tax band's, each band has a level of Council Tax set for it.

We calculate how much is required to pay for services provided by Chester City Council, Cheshire County Council, Police and Fire Services and then divide this amount by the number of properties in our 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.

For more information see the Council Tax Bands page

 

I Live In Chester And Work Abroad Or I Live Somewhere Else And Live In Chester For Work Purposes. Why Do I Have To Pay Council Tax For My Property in Chester?

We have to look at whether the property is your sole or main residence:

• Sole -  'one and only, exclusive'
• Main - 'principal, major, supreme'
• Residence - 'to dwell permanently or for a considerable time, to live at a particular place, to have one's home'

You cannot opt for a particular property to be treated as your sole or main residence; that is our decision. In order to consider someone's sole or main residence it is necessary to consider all relevant factors. We look at previous decisions made in court for guidance.

The main factors are:

• What the legal interest is in each property eg owner, tenant
• Where any children go to school
• Where each member of the household works
• Where each person keeps the majority of their possessions
• Where each person receives medical treatment
• Intention to return to the dwelling

The main principles that have been accepted by the courts are that:

• Residence implies a degree of permanence
• Temporary presence at an address does not make a person resident there
• Temporary absence does not deprive a person of residence.

If we decide that the property in Chester is your sole or main residence, then there is no reduction available if you are not living in the property for part of the year

If we decide that the property in Chester is not your sole or main residence, then you will receive a 25% reduction of the total bill.

Once our decision has been made, you can appeal if you still disagree, however please note that you must still pay your bill, until such time as the Valuation Tribunal decides to change our decision.

If you have paid too much on your account, you will receive an immediate refund.

If you do not pay, your account will be subject to recovery action.

You may be asked to provide documents to help us assess your account.

Council tax is collected to pay for many services, including the Fire service and the Police which will still be provided even though you do not live in the property permanently.

 

Should you need further information about anything on this page please contact us at:

Council Tax Section
Chester City Council
The Forum
Chester
CH1 2HS
Telephone  01244 402471
email: counciltax@chester.gov.uk.