Council Tax
- How to pay your council tax
- Council tax bands
- Council tax charges for 2012/13
- Council tax benefit
- Banding appeals
- What happens if you don't pay?
- Discounts
- Exemptions
- Disablement relief
- Moving house
- Complaints
- Business rates
- Downloadable council tax & business rate forms
- Contact us
How to pay your council tax
Unless you pay by direct debit your instalments are payable on or before the 15th of each month. Your first payment is usually in April followed by nine further instalments.
Payment Methods
Over the Internet
Use the link on the Council’s website www.bridgend.gov.uk and follow the instructions on-screen. Remember to have your council tax reference number (from your council tax bill) as well as your debit or credit card.
Direct Debit
- The most cost effective way to pay
- Choice of 4 payment dates
- No queues
You can set up a direct debit over the phone just ring (01656) 643391 and staff will be able to help you, or if you prefer you can print a direct debit mandate to complete and return to us.
Post Office
- You must take your bill, payment card or any letter from us with a barcode on it.
- You can pay at any post office
If you need something to pay with email us at ctaxen@bridgend.gov.uk or telephone (01656) 643391 for a replacement.
By Post
Send your cheque made payable to Bridgend County Borough Council to:
Bridgend County Borough Council
Angel Street
Bridgend
CF31 4WB
If you require a receipt you must enclose a stamped addressed envelope don't forget to quote your council tax reference number.
By Telephone
Pay by debit or credit card
- Telephone (01656) 643347
- Have your council tax eight digit reference number to hand
- Alternatively, you can phone the automated telephone payment system on (01656) 642088
Council tax bands
Your property has been placed in one of 9 valuation bands based on its open market capital value as at 1st April 2003. The bands are:
Valuation Band |
Range of Values (As at 1st April 2003) |
A |
Up to £44,000 |
B |
£44,001 and up to £65,000 |
C |
£65,001 and up to £91,000 |
D |
£91,001 and up to £123,000 |
E |
£123,001 and up to £162,000 |
F |
£162,001 and up to £223,000 |
G |
£223,001 and up to £324,000 |
H |
£324,001 up to £424,000 |
I |
£424,001 and above |
Banding appeals
You can appeal if you think your property is in the wrong band but the rules for appealing are strict. No appeals are allowed based on the general movement in house prices and you must appeal within six months of purchasing the property. You will have to show that there has been a misunderstanding over the value of your property. All enquiries should be directed to:
The Listing Officer
Valuation Officer,
Ty Rhoddfa House,
Ty Glas Road
Llanishen,
Cardiff
CF4 5GR.
Telephone: (029) 20806 800
Valuation Office Agency website http://www.voa.gov.uk/
NOTE: Making an appeal does not allow you to withhold payment of your council tax. An adjustment will be made if your appeal succeeds.
Council tax benefit
Council tax benefit will help people on low incomes to pay their council tax bills, for instance if you are claiming JSA/IS or if your income is below a certain level. To receive this benefit you must apply to the council direct. Please email benefits@bridgend.gov or telephone (01656) 643396 for more information. Please note that you are not entitled to withhold payment of council tax while your claim is being assessed.
Council tax by property band for 2012/13
Council tax by property band 2011-12 (previous year)
Council tax by property band 2012-13
What happens if you don't pay?
If you fail to make payment by the due date a reminder may be issued. Reminders must be paid within seven days or the full amount outstanding becomes payable. If the full amount isn't paid then a summons will be issued whereupon costs will be charged.
If you have difficulties in making your payments please contact us immediately to discuss the situation.
Discounts
If only one adult lives in a property a discount of 25% can be awarded. If you are the only person aged 18 years and over at your property and you do not currently receive a discount please email the council tax office at ctaxen@bridgend.gov.uk or telephone on (01656) 643391 for further information.
The following categories of people may be disregarded for council tax purposes and therefore a discount of 25% - 50% may be available:
- Full time students, student nurses, NT trainees and apprentices
- Patients resident in a hospital
- People being looked after in care homes
- People who are severely mentally impaired
- People staying in certain hostels or night shelters
- Eighteen and nineteen year olds who are at or who have just left school
- Low paid care workers, usually employed by a charity
- People in prison
- Members of religious communities i.e. monks and nuns
- People caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner, or son or daughter under eighteen
If you think you may qualify for a reduction please email the council tax office at ctaxen@bridgend.gov.uk or telephone on (01656) 643391 for further information.
Exemptions
Some dwellings are exempt from council tax. If the council has classified your dwelling as exempt then your bill will show a code giving the reason and the period of exemption. The classes of exemption are:
- Unoccupied dwelling requiring or undergoing structural alteration or where such work has been completed for less than 6 months (maximum exemption 1 year)
- Unoccupied dwellings owned by a charity (maximum exemption 6 months)
- Dwelling left empty and unfurnished (maximum exemption 6 months)
- Dwelling left empty by a person who has gone into prison
- Dwelling left empty by a person who has moved to receive personal care in hospital or home
- Dwelling left empty by a deceased person where less than 6 months have elapsed since the grant of probate or letters of administration
- Empty dwelling where occupation is prohibited by law
- Empty dwelling, which is awaiting occupation by a minister of religion
- Dwelling left empty by a person who has moved elsewhere (not covered by class E) to receive personal care
- Dwelling left empty by a person who has moved elsewhere to provide personal care to another person
- Dwelling left empty by a student
- Unoccupied dwelling where the mortgage lender is in possession
- Halls of residence
- Dwelling occupied wholly by students or by a student and their non-student spouse, who is not a British citizen and prevented from taking employment or claiming benefits.
- Forces barracks and married quarters
- Dwelling occupied by visiting forces
- Unoccupied dwelling that is the responsibility of bankrupt's trustee
- A pitch or mooring not occupied by a caravan or boat
- Dwellings occupied wholly by persons aged under eighteen
- Unoccupied dwellings forming part of another dwelling which are difficult to let separately (granny annexe)
- Dwellings occupied wholly by a person or persons who are severely mentally impaired.
- Certain dwellings occupied by diplomats
- Occupied annexes
You must inform us of any changes in circumstances that may affect your entitlement to an exemption. If you think you may qualify for an exemption please email the council tax office at ctaxen@bridgend.gov.uk or phone (01656) 643391 for more information.
Disablement relief
If you or someone who lives with you needs a room or extra space as a result of a disability, you may qualify for a reduction in your council tax bill if certain facilities are at the property.
To qualify you must have at least one of the following:
- An additional bathroom
- An additional kitchen
- Use a wheelchair inside the property
- Have a room set aside to meet the needs of the disabled person
The reduction assumes that your home had been placed in the valuation below that shown in the list. Band A properties will receive a discount equivalent to 1/9th of a Band D property.
If you think you may qualify for a reduction please email the council tax office at ctaxen@bridgend.gov.uk or phone (01656) 643391 for further information.
Moving house
What we need to know:
- Your full name
- Your previous address and new address
- Your previous council tax reference number
- The date you moved
- The name and address of your landlord if either property is rented or the name and address of the solicitors used if sold/purchased
Contact us at the Taxation Department, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB. Tel: (01656) 643391 or email ctaxen@bridgend.gov.uk
Complaints
If you have any complaints regarding your council tax account please contact us direct to discuss the issue. We aim to resolve all complaints effectively and efficiently. If we cannot resolve the matter to your satisfaction there is a formal complaints procedure, further details of which can be obtained from our offices.
Business rates
How to pay your business rates
All instalments are payable on or before the 15th of each month. Your first payment is usually in April followed by nine further instalments.
Payment Methods:
Over the Internet
Use the link on the homepage of the Council’s website www.bridgend.gov.uk and follow the instructions on-screen. Remember to have your business rate reference number (from your bill) as well as your debit or credit card.
Direct Debit
- The most cost effective way to pay
- No queues
You can set up a direct debit over the phone just ring (01656) 643391 and staff will be able to help you, or if you prefer you can print a direct debit mandate to complete and return to us.
Post Office
- You must take your bill, payment card or any letter from us with a barcode on it
- You can pay at any post office
If you need something to pay with email us at ctaxen@bridgend.gov.uk or telephone (01656) 643391 for a assistance.
By Post
Send your cheque made payable to Bridgend County Borough Council to:
Bridgend County Borough Council
Angel Street
Bridgend
CF31 4WB
If you require a receipt you must enclose a stamped addressed envelope don't forget to quote your business rate reference number.
By Telephone
- Telephone (01656) 643347
- Have your business rate 7 digit reference number to hand
- Alternatively, you can phone the automated telephone payment system on (01656) 642088
Rateable Value
The rateable value of a business rate property is fixed by the Valuation Office Agency. All non-domestic property is re-valued every five years. From 1 April 2005, the rateable value of a property represents its annual open market rental value as at 1 April 2003.
For composite properties the rateable value relates to the non-domestic part only.
The values of all property in respect of which rates are payable to your authority are shown on the local rating list copies of which can be viewed in the following way:
By visiting the council offices in person:
Bridgend County Borough Council Offices
Valuation Offices, Angel Street
Bridgend
Or at: Valuation Offices,
Ty Rhodfa, Ty Glas Road,
CF31 4HN
Llanishen, Cardiff
Or visit the website at voa.gov.uk
Please note that rates remain payable whilst an appeal is being determined, if your appeal is successful an adjustment will be made and a refund issued. You may be entitled to interest under certain circumstances.
Multiplier
The National Assembly for Wales sets the rating multiplier every year and is the same for the whole of Wales. Except in a Revaluation Year it cannot rise by more than the rate of the increase in the retail prices index. The multiplier for 2009/10 is 48.9p and in order to find out how much you pay for a full year just multiply your rateable value by the multiplier.
Unoccupied Property Rating
Owners of unoccupied non-domestic properties usually have to pay unoccupied property rates. If a property becomes vacant there is a rate free period of 3 months (6 months for industrial properties) thereafter the rates are payable at 100%.
From 1st April 2009 the rateable value threshold for charging empty rates has increased to £15,000, only properties with rateable values over this amount will be charged empty rates for the year 2009/10.
Certain properties are exempt from the payment of empty rates examples include:
- Listed properties
- Ancient monuments
- Where occupation is prohibited by law
- Where the building forms part of the estate of a deceased person, or the owner is subject to bankruptcy proceedings
Charitable and Discretionary Relief
Charities are entitled to relief from rates on any non-domestic property that is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes. Relief is given at 80% of the rate bill. Billing authorities have the discretion to remit all or part of the remaining 20% of a charity's bill on such property and can also give relief in respect of property occupied by certain bodies not established or conducted for profit. Application forms for rate relief can be obtained by contacting the Taxation Section on (01656 643391).
Small Business Relief
From 1 December 2008, the National Assembly have made changes to the Small Business Rates Relief scheme. These changes take effect from 1 April 2008. The scheme is now as follows:
- 50% relief for most businesses with a rateable value up to £2,000;
- 25% relief for most businesses with a rateable value £2,001 - £6,500;
- 100% for post offices (and premises which include a post office) with a rateable value up to £9,000;
- 50% for post offices (and premises which include a post office) with a rateable value between £9,001 - £12,000;
- 50% for child care premises with a rateable value up to £12,000
- 25% for retail premises, including petrol filling stations and public houses with a rateable value between £6,501 - £9,000
- 50% for premises occupied by Credit Unions with a rateable value up to £9,000
Applying for the Relief
In the case of 1) 2, 3 & 4 above the relief will automatically be granted and show on the business rates demand notice. However certain types of business property (ie those based on the use of the premises) must give notice to the local authority that they are eligible for relief before the relief can be granted. Please print off and complete the Small Business Rates Relief Notification form and send it to Bridgend County Borough Council together with the required documentation.
Contact us
Contact us at the Taxation Department, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend, CF31 4WB. Tel: (01656) 643391 or email ctaxen@bridgend.gov.uk
- Last Updated: 02/03/2012
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