Moving House and Council Tax

When council tax liability actually starts

A common misunderstanding is that council tax liability follows when you physically move in, but it actually starts from the day you become legally responsible for a property, whether that is completion of a purchase or the start date of a tenancy agreement. This matters particularly if there is a gap between completion and the day the removal van arrives.

Tell both councils promptly

Notify your outgoing council that you are leaving and your new council that you are arriving, ideally around a fortnight either side of the move. Most authorities now offer online change of address forms, which are the quickest way to update your account.

• Notify your old council of your leaving date
• Notify your new council of your arrival date
• Use online forms where available for the fastest processing
• Keep a record of confirmation emails or reference numbers

What to expect on your old account

Once your old council has your leaving date, they recalculate your account up to that day and close it. If you have paid ahead, any overpayment is refunded, which can take a few weeks to process.

• Your account is recalculated to the exact day you leave
• Overpayments are refunded, usually within about four weeks
• Keep your new bank details to hand in case a cheque or transfer is offered
• Chase the council if a refund has not arrived within a reasonable time

If you hold two properties at once

If there is a period where you are responsible for both your old and new home, such as completing on a new purchase before your sale completes, you are generally liable for council tax on both properties during the overlap. Some councils offer a discount on an unfurnished or empty property, so it is worth asking directly rather than assuming none applies.

• You are typically liable for both properties during an overlap
• Ask your council about discounts for empty or unfurnished properties
• Discount rules vary significantly between local authorities
• Keep evidence of when each property became occupied or vacant

Checking the council tax band of your new home

Council tax bands and the amount charged per band vary between local authorities, so a property of similar size and value can sit in a noticeably different band depending on which side of a council boundary it falls. Check the band of your new property before finalising your moving budget, since this is easy to overlook until the first bill arrives.

• Look up the band of your new property before completion if possible
• Compare the charge for that band with your current council
• Remember that bands reflect historic valuations, not current market price
• Check gov.uk for the official process to query or appeal a band

A simple timeline for council tax when moving

The table below summarises a sensible order of actions around your move date.

Where to get official guidance

For specific figures, discount eligibility or band appeals, your local council's website and gov.uk are the most reliable sources, since rules and rates are set locally and change from time to time.