'Total revelation' as millions will not pay crucial household bills for two months
MILLIONS of people will no longer have to pay their household bills for two months from February.
This is because council tax is usually paid over 10 months rather than 12 months.
If you pay your council tax in 10 instalments, you will be rewarded with 60 days without having to pay.
This falls in February and March and means that you will not receive a bill in these months.
Check your latest municipal tax assessment notice to see if you pay this way.
On your invoice you can read exactly how much you have to pay annually.
You can also read how your municipal tax is calculated and on what dates you have to pay it.
Your total annual bill is the same, only the period over which you pay differs.
For example, an annual bill of £1,200 could be paid as £100 per month over a twelve-month period, or as £120 over a ten-month period with two months off.
Consumer rights expert Martyn James said: “The mystery of why we pay council tax in ten-month chunks is something people are vaguely aware of.
“But once you realize you can opt for 12 months and reduce your bills, it's a total revelation!
“With money being so tight for many at the moment, this is a fantastic way to save money on your expenses every month.”
Can I change the way I pay council tax?
If you want to change and pay your council tax over 12 months instead of 10 months, or vice versa, please contact your council.
They should be able to set up a new payment schedule for you.
You can use the Gov.UK Council Locator tool if you don't know which council area you fall under.
You may even have the option to pay in one go twice a year, biweekly, or once a year.
But of course, your options depend on where you live.
Can I get a discount on municipal tax?
Local authorities may offer you a discount or clear your bill completely, depending on your circumstances.
Your household income, whether you have children and whether you receive benefits influence what you get.
You can apply for a discount on municipal tax via the government website.
But keep in mind that you will need to have your Citizen Service Number, bank statements, a recent pay slip or letter from the Employment Office and a passport or driver's license at hand.
If you do not know which municipality you live in, you can check this using the government's municipality finder.
Single people
You can get a 25% discount on your council tax if you are the only person living in the property or live with other people who are 'disregarded'.
Someone is not taken into account if he or she has a severe intellectual disability, is an informal caregiver, is in hospital, a care home or hostel, has another main residence, or is a student, trainee or apprentice.
For example, if one single adult lives with a student, they can receive a 25% discount on council tax.
If you live with someone who does not have to pay municipal tax, such as an informal caregiver, you can also receive a discount of up to 50%.
And if you live in a student household, you can get a 100% discount.
Retirees
Pensioners can also get a council tax discount, including those on the Guarantee Credit element of the Pension Credit, who can get a 100% discount.
If not, you can still get help if you are on a low income and have less than £16,000 in savings.
Meanwhile, a retiree who lives alone is also eligible for a 25% discount.
Low-income households
Households with a low income or benefits can also apply for a discount on municipal tax.
Your eligibility depends on where you live.
You can also get a deferral if you're struggling to pay your bill, or you can talk to your local council about setting up a payment plan to manage costs.
However, always remember that if you are struggling, you should contact your local council as soon as possible.
This way you prevent your situation from worsening and you from getting into trouble.