Council Tax Moving House: What You Must Do (2026 Guide)

Moving house is stressful enough. Council Tax is one of those things people assume will sort itself out — and that’s how you end up paying twice, missing a bill, or triggering a reminder notice.

Every year, UK councils issue millions of correction bills because people move home without updating their Council Tax properly. The process isn’t hard, but it is precise — and getting the dates wrong can cost you money.

This guide explains exactly what to do with Council Tax when moving house, step by step. You’ll learn how to cancel Council Tax at your old address, register at your new one, avoid empty property charges, and handle moves across different council areas — all using 2026 rules and best practices.

Unlike generic council pages, this article focuses on real-world situations: overlapping tenancies, delayed completions, empty homes, and common mistakes that trigger fines. If you want a clear, no-nonsense answer to “What do I do about Council Tax when moving house?”, you’re in the right place.

Council Tax Moving House: What You’re Actually Responsible For

When you move home, Council Tax does not transfer automatically. Each property has its own account, bill, and liability period.

You are responsible for:

Paying Council Tax up to the date you move out
Registering and paying Council Tax from the date you move in
Notifying each relevant council separately

If you’re moving between council areas (for example, Vale of White Horse to Oxford, or London to Waverley), you must deal with two different authorities.

Step-by-Step: What to Do About Council Tax When Moving House

What to Do About Council Tax When Moving House

Step 1: Tell Your Old Council You’re Moving Out

You must inform your current council as soon as your move date is confirmed.

Most councils ask for:

Your Council Tax account number
Your move-out date
A forwarding address
The name of the new occupier (if known)

Once processed, your old Council Tax account is closed, and a final bill is issued.

Tip: If you’re selling, liability usually ends on completion day. If you’re renting, it ends on the last day of your tenancy — not when you hand back the keys.

Step 2: Register for Council Tax at Your New Address

You must register for Council Tax even if:

The property is empty
You’re waiting for furniture
You haven’t received a bill yet

You’ll need:

Move-in date
Property address
Occupants’ names
Tenancy or ownership status

Each council has its own online form (e.g., Council Tax moving house Peterborough, Elmbridge, Northampton, and London boroughs).

Step 3: Check Your First Bill Carefully

Your first bill should show:

Correct start date
Correct Council Tax band
Any single person discount (25%)
Correct payment schedule (10 or 12 months)

Mistakes are common when people move mid-month.

Do I Have to Pay Council Tax on Two Properties?

Sometimes — but often only temporarily.

Situation	Do you pay twice?
Overlapping tenancy	Yes
Delayed completion	Possibly
Empty property (owned)	Yes (usually)
Empty rental after tenancy ends	No
Second home	Yes (often higher rate)

Some councils charge 100%–200% premiums on long-term empty homes (as of 2026).

How to Cancel Council Tax When Moving House (UK)

Council Tax is cancelled by:

Submitting a move-out notification
Providing the exact date
Receiving a final bill or refund

You cannot cancel Council Tax by:

Cancelling Direct Debit alone
Ignoring the bill
Assuming the new owner will handle it

Doing so risks arrears and enforcement letters.

What Happens If You Leave a Property Empty?

Empty homes are rarely exempt anymore.

Typical 2026 rules:

0–1 month empty: Full charge
1–12 months empty: Full charge
Over 12 months: Premium applies
Second homes: Often 100%+ charge

Discounts depend entirely on your council area.

How to Legally Not Pay Council Tax (UK)

You can only avoid Council Tax legally if:

The property qualifies for a statutory exemption
You’re eligible for a discount
You’re not the liable person

Common legal reductions:

Single person discount (25%)
Student exemption
Severe mental impairment exemption
Armed forces accommodation
Property undergoing major structural repair (limited)

There is no loophole for simply not registering.

Council Tax Moving House by Council Area

The process is the same everywhere, but portals differ.

Common Council Tax Moving House Mistakes

These mistakes cause most fines and backdated bills:

❌ Forgetting to register at the new address
❌ Wrong move-in or move-out date
❌ Cancelling Direct Debit instead of the account
❌ Assuming Council Tax follows you automatically
❌ Ignoring empty property rules
❌ Not claiming discounts again after moving

Council Tax Moving House Checklist (Save This)

✅ Notify old council
✅ Record exact move-out date
✅ Register with the new council
✅ Apply for discounts again
✅ Check the first bill
✅ Set up payment plan
✅ Keep confirmation emails

FAQs

Q. How do I cancel Council Tax when moving house?

To cancel Council Tax when moving house, you must notify your local council using their official move-out or change-of-address form. Provide your move-out date, forwarding address, and Council Tax account number. The council will close your account and issue a final bill or refund if applicable.

Q. Do I need to tell both councils when moving house?

Yes. You must notify both your old council and your new council. UK councils do not share Council Tax data. Failing to inform one can result in backdated charges, reminder notices, or enforcement action.

Q. What if I move within the same council area?

Even if you move within the same council area, you still need to report the change. Council Tax is property-specific, not person-based. Your old account is closed and a new Council Tax account is created for your new address.

Q. Do I have to pay Council Tax if my house is empty?

Usually yes. Most UK councils no longer offer empty property discounts. Empty homes are typically charged at the full Council Tax rate, and long-term empty properties may incur additional premiums, depending on the council’s 2026 policy.

Q. What happens if I don’t register for Council Tax after moving?

If you don’t register, the council will backdate your Council Tax charge to your move-in date. This can lead to arrears, penalty notices, and enforcement letters. Not receiving a bill does not remove your legal responsibility to register.

Q. Is Council Tax charged daily or monthly?

Council Tax is charged daily, not monthly. Although bills are paid in monthly instalments, liability is calculated per day. This means move-in and move-out dates matter, especially when moving mid-month.

Q. Can I change my Council Tax details online?

Yes. Nearly all UK councils allow you to register, cancel, or change Council Tax online using a digital change-of-address form. Online updates are the fastest way to avoid billing errors and ensure your account is updated correctly.

Final Thoughts

Council Tax moving house isn’t complicated — but it is unforgiving if you get it wrong. Dates matter. Forms matter. And assuming it’ll “sort itself out” is the fastest way to overpay.

Handle it early, keep records, and double-check your first bill. Do that, and Council Tax becomes one less thing to worry about during your move.