It is important that you tell us about any changes to your circumstances so that we can make sure your Council Tax account is accurate and that you are being charged correctly.
Changes you should tell us about
Tell us if you are:
- Moving into or out of a property.
- Buying a property, even if you do not intend to move in immediately.
- Selling a property.
- Inheriting a property.
- Leaving a property empty.
- Renting out a property or becoming a tenant.
- A change of name, for example following marriage or civil partnership.
- The death of a Council Tax payer, if you are dealing with their affairs.
- A change in the number of adults living at a property.
- A change that may affect your entitlement to a Council Tax discount, exemption, disregard, Council Tax Support or premium exception.
- A change in circumstances affecting a person who is disregarded for Council Tax purposes, such as a student, apprentice or severely mentally impaired person.
- Changes affecting annexes, second homes or additional properties.
If you are unsure whether a change should be reported, please contact us and we will be happy to advise you.
When you must tell us
You must notify us within 21 days of:
- Any change to who is responsible for paying Council Tax at a property.
- Any change that may affect a discount, exemption, reduction, disregard, premium or other adjustment applied to your account.
You should also tell us when you buy, sell, inherit, occupy or leave a property, even if you are not moving straight away. This allows us to apply the correct Council Tax liability from the right date.
Information we may ask for
Depending on the type of change you are reporting, we may ask you to provide supporting information. This could include:
- Proof of purchase or sale of a property.
- A tenancy agreement or licence.
- Probate or legal documents.
- Evidence supporting a discount, exemption or disregard claim.
Providing the required information promptly will help us update your account without delay.
What happens if you do not tell us?
You may receive a penalty if you do not tell us about certain changes within 21 days.
If you do not notify us of a relevant change within the required timescale, you may be issued with a £70 penalty, which will be added to your Council Tax account.
This applies where your Council Tax account includes a discount, exemption, disregard, premium exception or other adjustment that may be affected by a change in your circumstances.
If you receive a penalty
If you believe a penalty has been issued incorrectly, please contact us as soon as possible explaining why you disagree with the penalty and requesting that it be reviewed.
Report a change
Use our online form to tell us about a change in your circumstances.
Reporting changes promptly helps us keep your Council Tax account accurate and avoids unnecessary amended bills, arrears, penalties or recovery action at a later date.
You can use this contact form 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or email localtaxation@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Alternatively you can call Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm:
- Council Tax billing enquiries: 023 9268 8588
- For questions about your Council Tax account, including moving home, changes of address, Direct Debit arrangements, payment instalments, discounts, exemptions, empty properties and Council Tax bills.
- Council Tax Support enquiries: 023 9283 4556
- If you are on a low income, if you receive Council Tax Support, want to apply for help with your Council Tax bill, need to report a change in circumstances or have questions about an existing claim.
- Council Tax recovery enquiries: 023 9284 1447
- For enquiries about Council Tax arrears where a Liability Order has been obtained, including attachments to earnings or benefits and payment arrangements for outstanding arrears. If your account has been passed to an enforcement agent, contact the enforcement agent directly.
Free financial advice is also available locally. You can find organisations that offer independent debt advice on our free independent financial advice page.