An estate agent has offered tips to help households reduce their council tax bill following the recent spate of local authority rate hikes.
London-based Douglas & Gordon said Google Trends data revealed in the first few months of 2022, searches relating to council tax were the highest they had been in five years.
It’s no wonder, however, with virtually every single local council increasing annual council tax in the past year and the average band D property rising by around £67.
The estate agent has not only looked at what areas of the country are the most and least expensive for council tax, but it has also suggested some ways households may be able to reduce their bill.
In what area is council tax the lowest?
Douglas & Gordon said, despite the capital being home to one of the most expensive properties in the UK, London boroughs such as Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham had some of the lowest council tax rates in the country, with the average monthly cost amounting to £136.
This was primarily due to local councils gaining revenue from other sources, the estate agent explained.
| County | Avg. monthly cost | Annual cost* |
| Greater London | £136 | £1,633 |
| West Midlands | £144 | £1,730 |
| Berkshire | £154 | £1,847 |
| Hampshire | £156 | £1,867 |
| Essex | £156 | £1,870 |
*Average Council Tax per annum for a Band D property
Which households are paying the highest council tax?
Rutland in the East Midlands was experiencing the highest amount of council tax being paid, the research found. The average monthly cost here amounted to £183 a month, adding up to £2,195 annually.
| County | Avg. monthly cost | Annual cost* |
| Rutland | £183 | £2,195 |
| East Sussex | £179 | £2,144 |
| Nottinghamshire | £178 | £2,134 |
| Durham | £173 | £2,075 |
| Devon | £172 | £2,068 |
*Average Council Tax per annum for a Band D property
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How can I reduce my council tax?
Here a few ways you may be able to reduce the cost of your council tax bill
Spread the cost
Annual council tax payments are typically spread across ten months, but you can request that they spread across 12 months, lowering the monthly repayments.
Apply for a reduction
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a discount on your council tax bill. Some people on benefits or Universal Credit, for example, can claim a discount as can students in certain situations.
Check your council tax band
If you think your property has been put into the wrong band, you can challenge it with your local council.
You can find out more about how to reduce your council tax bill and how to apply for a reduction by reading this article on our sister website The Money Pages.
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