Council tax

Coronavirus update

During the coronavirus outbreak, residents have enquired about delaying their council tax payments.

At this time, East Hampshire District Council will not be deferring council tax for all residents. For those most at need, we are agreeing on a case-by-case basis on changes to their council tax payments.

Just 9 per cent of your total council tax bill is received by East Hampshire District Council. The remainder supports key infrastructure such as:

  • Hampshire County Council
  • Hampshire Adult Social Care
  • The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire
  • Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
  • Parish and town councils

The council does not have the necessary cash-flow to delay council tax payments from all residents.

Council tax hardship fund

Help has been made available for the most vulnerable residents struggling to pay their council tax as part of the Government’s £500m coronavirus hardship fund.

£516,901 has been allocated to East Hampshire District Council. We will be able to provide further council tax relief via this scheme.

The Government has made it clear that additional funding is to firstly allow working age residents who already receive council tax support, to receive a further discount of up to £150.

Residents who are in receipt of council tax support do not need to apply for this.

What if there are remaining funds?

Any remaining funds will be allocated to the most in need throughout the financial year.

Find out how to apply for council tax support.

Manage your council tax online

You can manage your council tax online by creating a portal account.

The portal gives you full access to your council tax account where you can:

  • pay your council tax
  • set up a direct debit
  • view your council tax/benefits statement, balance and outstanding payments
  • apply for a single-person discount
  • tell us about a change of address
  • track information about housing benefit payments (if you’re a landlord)

To register for an account, you will need your account name, email address and council tax reference number. You will also need your National Insurance Number if you are in receipt of council tax support or housing benefit.

Please note that the system is unavailable from 6pm to 8pm on weekdays due to routine system maintenance.

Council tax information

Council tax is your contribution to the many services we provide, such as collecting rubbish and providing housing.

As well as collecting council tax for the services we provide, we also collect council tax on behalf of other local authorities.

The majority of your council tax goes to Hampshire County Council and a proportion of your council tax also goes to the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Paying your council tax

There are also other ways you can pay your council tax, including direct debit, online payments, by post or in person at our offices.

You will receive an annual bill for every property you are liable for, the bill is assumed to be payable in monthly instalments. The number of monthly instalments will be 10 however you can request this is changed to 12.

If for any reason you are unable to pay your council tax, please let us know as soon as possible.

Tell us you're moving

If you are moving home within East Hampshire, leaving or moving into East Hampshire, you can tell us online and we will amend your council tax bill.

Valuation band of your property

The amount you pay depends on the valuation band of your property.

Each home is in one of eight valuation bands, according to how much it was worth on 1 April 1991.

Your council tax bill shows the band your home is in.

  • Band A - Up to £40,000
  • Band B - Over £40,000 up to £52,000
  • Band C - Over £52,000 up to £68,000
  • Band D - Over £68,000 up to £88,000
  • Band E - Over £88,000 up to £120,000
  • Band F - Over £120,000 up to £160,000
  • Band G - Over £160,000 up to £320,000
  • Band H - Over £320,000

If you think your valuation is wrong you can challenge your band. You must continue to pay your council tax until the result of the appeal is decided.

Council tax discounts and exemptions

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to a discount on your council tax bill. The most common discount is for single occupancy where you will receive a 25% discount on your bill. There are also discounts available for disabled residents, unoccupied and unfurnished properties and full time students/apprentices.

Some properties are exempt from paying council tax. These include properties lived in only by students or people with severe mental impairment and, in some cases, empty properties.