Council tax - Change of circumstances

On this page

- You have moved
- Someone else has moved
- You have bought, sold or inherited a property without moving
- Someone has died
- You are no longer entitled to a discount or exemption (Cancellation)
- Change the name or email on your account

You have moved         

Tell us if you have moved:

• into RCT
• out of RCT
• within RCT

Before you start, you may need:

• details of the people moving with you
• your old and new address
• the date you moved
• purchase and sale dates
• solicitor details
• tenancy start or end date

Tell us about a change of address

Back to top

Someone else has moved

You need to tell us if someone else has moved in or out of your property, or if someone is unable to report a move themselves. 

For example:

• someone moving in or out of your property
• someone moving into care
• someone taken into prison

Before you start, you will need:

• the movers name(s)
• the date they moved
• dates of any purchases or sales the person was involved in
• Your relationship to them
• Tenancy details (if relevant)

Back to top

You have bought, sold or inherited a property without moving

If the ownership of a property has changed but your address has not, you need to tell us. We can then assess your liability and if you are eligible for any council tax exemptions.

This can include:

• buying a property that you’ve not moved into
• selling a property you don’t live at
• inheriting a property you do not plan to live in

You will need to provide us the following information:

• your full name and contact details
• joint owner details (if applicable)
• the property address
• the date when ownership changed
• details of the buyer, seller or beneficiary
• solicitor details
• supporting documents if the property was inherited

Someone has died 

Inform us about a death that may result in a Council Tax overpayment or discount.

You can report a death with the Tell Us Once Service who will then inform selected Council departments and other Government organisations.  We will update your Council Tax records.

The death must have been either registered or reported to a coroner and you have a final or interim death certificate

Report a death with the Tell Us Once Service

Keep us informed of further changes

If you are a solicitor, executor or a person involved with managing the estate of someone who has died, you need keep us updated about any changes that would impact their council tax account.

This can include:

• probate being granted
• new executors / administrators being identified
• the forwarding address for bills changing
• the property now becoming empty

To inform us of these changes you will need to give us the following information:

• the deceased person’s name and address
• the date of death
• if probate has been granted or not
• the date probate was granted
• details of the executor, administrator or next of kin
• proof you can act on the person’s behalf (for example, Legal Power of Attorney or will)
• details of any resident still living at the deceased’s property

You are no longer entitled to a discount or exemption (Cancellation)

If you currently receive a council tax discount, exemption, or premium exception you need to tell us of the following changes . 

Your entitlement may be based on your personal circumstances. You need to tell us if you are no longer:

• a full-time student
• restricted to working due to immigration
• under 18
• a care leaver under 25
• a live in care giver

Your entitlement may be based on your property status. You need to tell us if your property has changed from:

• Unoccupied to occupied
• Un-furnished to furnished
• for sale or rent to off the market.
• an annex to separate property
• inhabitable to habitable

Before you start, you will need:

• the date your circumstances changed
• details of the discount or exemption that no longer applies

Cancel a discount or exemption

Back to top

Change the name or email on your account

If you pay council tax, you need to tell us if your personal details have changed to keep your council tax record up to date.

You need to tell us if your:

• name has changed (marriage, civil partnership, deed poll)
• email address has changed

To update your personal details you will need to email us the following information:

• council tax number
• new details
• evidence to support any name change (marriage certificate etc).

Back to top