Council tax when you move, in four steps:
- Tell your old council the exact date you leave, so they can close the account and send a final bill.
- Register with your new council from the date your tenancy starts or your purchase completes.
- Do it within 21 days. Councils can add a £70 penalty if you don’t.
- Keep your old direct debit running until the final bill confirms the account is settled.
Moving within the same borough? You only deal with one council, but you still need to tell them. Not sure which council covers an address? Use the GOV.UK council finder.
Who you need to tell
It depends on whether you are staying in the same borough. London has 32 boroughs plus the City of London, and each one runs its own council tax.
| Your move | Who to contact | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| Within the same borough | Your council, once | Closes the old account and opens the new one |
| To a different borough | Old council and new council, separately | Old council sends a final bill; new council opens an account |
| Moving in with family (not liable at the new address) | Old council only | Closes your account |
Councils do not share your details with each other. A Royal Mail redirection, your letting agent or your solicitor will not tell them either. You have to contact each council yourself, usually through the online form on its website.
Example: moving from Ruislip (Hillingdon) to Harrow-on-the-Hill (Harrow) means telling Hillingdon you are leaving and registering with Harrow as a new resident.
Tip: save a screenshot or the reference number from each form. If a bill goes wrong later, proof of when you told them is the quickest fix.
When to tell them, and what happens if you don't
Tell both councils within 21 days of the change. If you don’t, without a reasonable excuse, the council can add a £70 penalty to your bill. If they have to ask again for the same information, further penalties of £280 each can follow.
How early you can tell them varies by council. Some accept notice up to a month ahead, others ask you to wait until you are no more than 14 days from moving. The simplest rule: as soon as your moving date is fixed, check each council’s form and submit when it allows.
Council tax is charged by the day, so getting the dates right matters more than getting in first. A late notice also causes practical problems:
- The old account stays open, so the final bill needs correcting.
- The new account starts late, so your first bill arrives late. That matters if you need it as proof of address, for example for a residents’ parking permit.
Which dates count: tenants and homeowners
The council needs exact dates, not the day the van arrives. Which dates count depends on whether you rent or own.
| Liability at the old address ends | Liability at the new address starts | |
|---|---|---|
| Tenant | The last day of your old tenancy | The first day of your new tenancy, even if you move in later |
| Homeowner | The day your sale completes | The day your purchase completes |
If the two overlap, for example a new tenancy starting before the old one ends, or buying before you have sold, you can be liable at both addresses for that period. Contact both councils and explain. Some can apply a discount or exemption in certain overlap cases.
Some councils will also ask for your letting agent’s or solicitor’s details to confirm the dates.
Got your moving date? Book the move before the admin. Home and office removals get a fixed price after a quick pre-move survey, usually a video walkthrough. Our man and van service is charged by the hour.
Your final bill, direct debits and refunds
The most common mistake is cancelling the old direct debit too early. If the account still owes even a small amount, that can trigger arrears letters after you have gone.
The safe order:
- Keep the old direct debit running until the closing bill arrives.
- Check the closing bill. It should run up to your last day of liability.
- If you owe money, pay it. It is still due even though you have moved.
- If you are in credit, the council will refund you, usually to the bank account on file. Within the same borough, some councils move the credit to your new account instead.
- Then cancel the old direct debit and set up a new one with the new council.
Give the old council a forwarding address so the closing bill reaches you. When the first bill from the new council arrives, read it carefully: it often covers only part of the year, so the instalments may look unusual.
Discounts and exemptions at your new address
Discounts do not move with you. If you had one at your old address, apply again at the new one. A move is also a good time to check whether you now qualify for something new.
| Situation | What may apply |
|---|---|
| Only one adult lives there | 25% single person discount, whatever your income |
| Everyone is a full-time student | The property may be exempt |
| Some residents are students | Students can be disregarded, which may reduce the bill |
| An adult is severely mentally impaired | They can be disregarded, which may reduce the bill or make it exempt |
| Lower income, or income changed with the move | Council Tax Reduction (also called Council Tax Support), run by each borough |
| Care leavers and other local groups | Local discounts, depending on the borough |
Tell the council within 21 days if your household changes later. That includes someone moving in or out, a student graduating, or a child turning 18. Age UK has a useful overview of ways to reduce council tax.
Check the council tax band at your new address
It takes a minute and is worth doing before the first bill arrives. In England, bands are based on what a property was worth on 1 April 1991, so two similar flats on the same street can sit in different bands.
- Check the band: search the address on GOV.UK’s council tax band checker.
- Compare neighbours: look up similar properties nearby.
- Challenge if needed: if comparable homes are in a lower band, you can ask the Valuation Office Agency to review it. Evidence from similar neighbouring properties makes the strongest case. The official plain English guide explains the process.
Council tax moving checklist
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| As soon as your date is fixed | Find both councils and check when their forms accept notice |
| Before you move | Tell the old council your exact leaving date and a forwarding address |
| On or just after moving day | Register with the new council from your tenancy start or completion date |
| Within 21 days | Confirm both notifications are submitted and save the reference numbers |
| First weeks at the new address | Check the band and apply for any discounts |
| When the closing bill arrives | Pay or claim the refund, then cancel the old direct debit |
Frequently asked questions
Do I tell the council before or after I move?
Either works, as long as it is within 21 days of the move. Some councils accept notice up to a month ahead, others only within 14 days of moving. Check each council’s form once your date is fixed.
Can I be charged council tax at two addresses at once?
Yes, if your tenancies or ownership overlap. You may be liable at both for the overlap period. Contact both councils, as some offer discounts or exemptions in certain cases.
My landlord pays the council tax. Do I need to register?
In some furnished lets and shared houses, the landlord is liable instead of the tenant. Check your tenancy agreement and get it confirmed in writing. If the landlord is liable, you do not register yourself.
What if there is a gap between moving out and moving in?
You usually stay liable at the old address until your tenancy ends or your sale completes, even if you have already moved out. Give the old council the exact date and keep your tenancy or completion documents.
I keep getting bills for the previous occupier. What do I do?
Contact the new council with your tenancy agreement or completion statement so they can update the record. Do not ignore the bills, as unresolved accounts can lead to enforcement letters.
How quickly will I get my first bill?
Usually within a few weeks of registering, but it varies by borough. If you need proof of address sooner, for example for a parking permit, ask the council for a confirmation letter or email.
Sort the move, and the admin gets easier
Council tax is one job on a long list. A late van, a parking bay that isn’t clear or a lift that wasn’t booked can eat the time you set aside for everything else.
Best London Removals has moved homes across London from Ruislip since 2011. We give fixed-price quotes after a free survey, and we know each borough’s parking and access rules, so moving day runs on time.
This guide is general information. For your own circumstances, check with your council.
