Council & local tax
Council Tax monthly payments: find your council by postcode, split the yearly bill into 10 or 12 instalments, and check single person or student discounts.
A better-informed decision.
Complete the form to see your breakdown.
Council Tax is a yearly bill paid by the people living in a home to their local council, for services such as bin collection and roads. This tool helps with two things: reaching your council’s official website through the GOV.UK postcode service, and turning your yearly bill into Council Tax monthly payments over 10 or 12 instalments. For example, a £1,800 yearly bill is £180 a month over 10 instalments, or £150 over 12.
Who it is for
Anyone renting or buying a home in England, Scotland or Wales, and people in Northern Ireland who want to split a domestic rates bill.
How the tool works
- Find your council. The “Find your council” button opens the official GOV.UK service. Enter your postcode to reach the council for your address.
- Enter the yearly amount from your bill or the council’s website, after any discount.
- Choose 10 or 12 instalments.
- Result: the yearly amount divided by the number of instalments.
The tool does not know your band or your council’s charges. It only divides the number you enter, because a band alone does not tell you the bill: each council sets its own charge for each band.
How the bill is really worked out
GOV.UK says you need three things: the valuation band for your home, how much your council charges for that band, and any discount or exemption. In England and Wales you can look up the band by postcode on GOV.UK and challenge it if you think it is wrong. In Scotland, bands are on the Scottish Assessors Association website.
Main discounts
| Your situation | What GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| You live alone | 25% off your bill |
| Everyone else in the home is disregarded | 25% off |
| Everyone is a full-time student | No Council Tax to pay |
| Students and non-students together | A bill is issued; a discount may apply |
Disregarded people include under-18s, full-time students, some apprentices, student nurses and live-in carers who are not family. A full-time student’s course must last at least 1 year with at least 21 hours of study a week. Discounts are not automatic: you must apply to your council.
A worked example
Your full yearly bill is £1,800 and you live alone:
- Single person discount: £1,800 × 0.75 = £1,350.
- Enter £1,350 and choose 10 instalments: £135 each.
- Choose 12 instalments: £112.50 each.
£1,800 is only an example. Your real figure is on your bill or your council’s charges page.
10 or 12 instalments?
GOV.UK says the bill is usually split into 10 monthly payments. If you are struggling, contact your council straight away; it may let you spread payments over 12 months. If you fall behind, the council can take action to recover the debt. Enter the number of instalments on your actual schedule.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Scotland. mygov.scot says that for most homes, Council Tax is billed with water and waste water charges from Scottish Water. Enter the total shown on your bill.
- Northern Ireland. There is no Council Tax. Domestic rates are the property’s capital value (as at 1 January 2005) multiplied by the regional rate plus the district rate. Bills are issued at the start of April for 1 April to 31 March. You can split the yearly rates figure in this tool too.
What the tool does not do
- It does not find your band or your bill.
- It does not apply discounts; enter the amount after them.
- It does not know your payment dates or contact the council for you.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for a bill that never comes. Tell the council when you move in.
- Assuming a student discount is automatic. You must apply, even if you are disregarded.
- Comparing bands across councils. The same band can cost different amounts in different areas.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays Council Tax?
Usually anyone aged 18 or over. A full bill assumes at least 2 adults in the home, and couples are jointly responsible.
Can I challenge my band?
Yes, in England and Wales, through the GOV.UK band service, with evidence.
Do international students pay Council Tax?
Not if everyone in the home is a full-time student. Apply to the council for the exemption.
How do I find my council’s website?
Use the “Find your council” button above and enter your postcode.
Sources
- Find your local council ↗
- Working out your Council Tax ↗
- Council Tax bands ↗
- Who has to pay ↗
- Full-time students ↗
- Paying your bill ↗
- Council Tax in Scotland ↗
- Northern Ireland rate bills ↗
Next step
Add the monthly payment to the living cost planner, and use the housing checklist to ask the landlord about bills before you sign.
Reviewed 24 September 2026.