A council tax bill that’s wrong after moving often shows up as a higher charge than expected, the wrong start date, or a demand that includes weeks when the property was empty or still occupied by someone else. In UK households this commonly arrives as a backdated bill, a “final notice” that feels sudden, or two councils both charging for overlapping dates. Another frequent pattern is a bill addressed to “The Occupier” even after details were provided, or a bill that assumes a full year’s liability when the move happened mid-month.
Typical signs include: the bill shows the wrong property band, the wrong number of adults, missing discounts (single person, student, severe mental impairment), or it lists a previous tenant’s name. Sometimes the council has created two accounts for the same address, especially where a flat has a similar postcode to a neighbouring building or where the address format differs (Flat 2 vs 2A).
Common causes in practice
Check move dates mismatch
The most common cause is a mismatch between the date the council thinks liability started and the date the move actually happened. Councils often use the date they received notification, not the date of occupation, until evidence is supplied. If a landlord or letting agent reported a different date, the council may have followed that.
Spot address formatting errors
Small address differences can create duplicate accounts or attach a bill to the wrong dwelling. This happens regularly in converted houses, new-build estates, and blocks where Royal Mail formatting differs from the council’s property database.
Confirm who is liable
Liability rules catch people out. In most rentals, the tenant is liable, but in some HMOs, some supported accommodation, and certain “all bills included” arrangements, the owner may be liable. If the council has treated the property as a standard tenancy when it is classed differently, the bill can be wrong.
Review discounts and exemptions
Discounts are not always applied automatically after a move. Single person discount often drops off when a new account is created. Student status can be missed if the certificate was not linked to the new account. Exemptions for empty properties vary by council and are frequently time-limited, so assumptions based on the previous area can lead to surprise charges.
Watch for band confusion
Sometimes the bill is “wrong” because the property is in a higher band than expected. Banding is set nationally, not by the council, and the council usually cannot change it directly. If the band looks out of line with similar homes, it may be challengeable, but the billing issue and the band issue need separating so payments and disputes are handled correctly.
Quick checks before contacting
Gather key documents
Most councils resolve this faster when evidence is ready. Useful items are: tenancy agreement (start date), completion statement (if bought), check-in inventory, utility opening meter readings, and proof of when keys were collected. A screenshot of the move-in confirmation email from the letting agent is often accepted.
Compare council account details
Check the online council tax account (if available) against the bill: address line, postcode, liability start date, and named liable person(s). If there are two accounts showing similar addresses, note both account numbers.
Check discount status
Look for lines showing “Single person discount 25%”, “Student disregard”, or “Exemption class”. If missing, note whether the household has one adult, full-time students, or other qualifying circumstances.
Step-by-step fixes
Step 1: Pay the undisputed amount
If the bill is partly wrong but some liability is clear, paying the undisputed portion helps avoid recovery action while the correction is processed. Councils usually continue enforcement based on the instalment plan unless an amended bill is issued, so keeping to payments where possible reduces escalation.
Step 2: Report the move properly
Use the council’s “moving home” form rather than a generic email where possible, as it links evidence to the account. Provide: exact move-in date, previous address, forwarding address, and names of all adults. If the move-out date from the previous council is also disputed, report both sides so the dates match.
Step 3: Send evidence in one…
Upload or attach documents in a single message with a short summary: “Moved in on DD/MM/YYYY, keys collected DD/MM/YYYY, tenancy starts DD/MM/YYYY.” Councils commonly accept tenancy start date plus a utility opening reading as strong evidence. If the property was empty before occupation, include the letting agent’s marketing period or landlord confirmation if available.
Step 4: Ask for a revised…
Request an amended demand notice and a revised instalment schedule. If the council agrees the dates or discounts are wrong, the account is usually recalculated and a new bill issued. Keep the old bill; it helps show what changed if recovery letters cross in the post.
Step 5: Fix duplicate accounts
If two accounts exist, ask the council to merge them and confirm in writing which account number is live. Provide the exact address formatting preferred (as shown on the bill and on Royal Mail post). Duplicate accounts often cause double billing and missed discounts.
Step 6: Correct liability type
If the property is an HMO or the landlord should be liable, ask the council to confirm the liability decision and the legal basis. Provide the tenancy type and any licence details if known. Councils may request a copy of the tenancy agreement clauses or confirmation of room-only lets.
Step 7: Challenge band separately
If the band looks wrong, keep the billing correction moving while checking banding. For a practical route, see Council Tax Wrong Band — how to check and challenge. Band challenges have their own rules and time limits, and a successful change can alter the bill, but it is not the quickest fix for a move-date error.
If it’s left unresolved
When a council tax bill stays “wrong” on the system, the usual outcome is automated recovery. That can mean reminder notices, loss of instalments (the full year becomes due), and a summons to the magistrates’ court for a liability order. Even where the underlying bill is later corrected, costs can be added if the account fell into recovery before the council processed the change.
Another common knock-on is credit stress from multiple demands: one council chasing the old address while the new council backdates the new one. It can also affect benefits-related council tax reduction if the council believes the household circumstances are different from reality.
When to escalate
Use the council complaints route
If the council has been given clear evidence and still won’t correct dates, discounts, or duplicate accounts, use the formal complaints process and ask for a written decision. Councils often resolve errors once a complaint is logged because it is tracked and time-bound.
Request a decision notice
For disputes about liability (who should pay) or discounts/exemptions, ask for a formal decision so appeal rights are clear. Keep communications factual: dates, documents, and what correction is being requested.
Prepare a clear evidence pack
Evidence that usually helps in UK cases includes: tenancy agreement pages showing start date and names, completion statement, council tax account screenshots, utility opening readings, and a short timeline. If the council relied on landlord information that is wrong, include any email from the landlord/agent correcting it.
FAQ
Can two councils charge at once?
It happens when move dates don’t match between councils. Only one main residence should be charged for the same period, but the system won’t correct itself without aligned dates and evidence.
Should payments stop while it’s disputed?
Usually no. Paying the undisputed amount and keeping to instalments where possible reduces the chance of summons costs while the council recalculates.
Why did the single person discount…
New accounts after a move often default to full charge until the discount is re-applied. A quick re-application with confirmation that only one adult lives there normally fixes it.
What if the bill is in…
That often means the council hasn’t linked the name to the new account yet, or there is a duplicate record. Providing full names and the tenancy/completion document usually resolves it.
What if the band seems too…
Banding is separate from billing. The bill can be corrected for dates and discounts while a band check runs in parallel using the proper challenge route.
Before you move on
Write a simple timeline (move-out date, move-in date, key collection, tenancy start) and attach two strong proofs (tenancy/completion plus a utility opening reading), then ask for an amended bill and instalment plan in writing. If you felt pushed to accept a quick settlement or told there was no time, that’s often a sign the process wasn’t handled properly.
Get help with the next step
If the council is still billing the wrong dates, missing discounts, or running duplicate accounts, submit the details and evidence for review at https://ukfixguide.com/contact/.
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