Council Tax for Landlords

If you're a landlord or managing agent you can let us know about a change in tenancies online.

Before you start

You'll need to provide:

  • the tenancy start and end dates
  • the dates the tenants will be moving in or out
  • full names of all tenants
  • forwarding address for all tenants where applicable

Report a change of tenants

Who is responsible for paying Council Tax?

When a property is let to one household, usually the tenants are responsible for paying the Council Tax. In contrast, when a property is let as a House in Multiple Occupation; where rooms are let individually, the landlords are responsible.

For more details, see Who is Responsible for paying Council Tax?

Unoccupied properties

The owner is responsible to pay the council tax during any period the property is unoccupied.

The owner is responsible for paying Council Tax from the day when the previous occupants left the property. There are no discounts or exemptions available during this time.

The Owner will be the freeholder of the property.  However, if they lease the property to another person for a period of six months or more, the leaseholder will then become the Owner for Council Tax purposes.  In turn, if a lessee sub-leases a property from the lessee for six months or more, the sub-lessee then becomes the Owner.

If your home was let to a tenant under an assured shorthold tenancy for a fixed term, such as one year for example, that upon expiry, becomes a rolling monthly periodic tenancy, the tenant of that unoccupied property will not then be the Owner for Council Tax purposes, as they will not satisfy the above requirement of having a minimum six-month term. In such circumstances, the freeholder or leaseholder of the property will be the Owner and responsible for making payment.      

Liability disputes

If you received a bill and believe that any part of it is incorrect, you can dispute it using the evidence form.

You must pay the bill while you are waiting for the outcome of your dispute. If your dispute is upheld you will be able to claim a refund.

Self-catering properties

To find out whether a property is liable for Council Tax or Business rates see Self-catering Properties.

Data privacy

  • The council cannot give any information about your tenant's Council Tax account.
  • If the council requires information about a current or former tenant we may write to you to ask for it.
  • If you have received such a request you can return it to us using the evidence form.