Council Tax

 

Arun District Council collects Council Tax from over 73,000 properties. A large proportion of the money goes to West Sussex County Council (WSCC) for spending on services like education, adult and children’s services, fire brigade and libraries.

Our proportion is used to provide services like housing, planning, refuse collection and environmental health. Please see the  2019-20 Council Tax financial information .pdf [pdf] 140KB for an analysis of Arun's spending.

From 1st April 2016, part of WSCC’s share will include an adult social care precept. The additional income raised will be used to fund the pressures faced within this area. To find out more about how the County Council raises and spends their share, please view the WSCC info about how your council tax is spent.

The policing element of your Council Tax is set by the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner. To find out more about the way this part of your Council Tax is spent and how police resources are allocated please see the  SPCC Precept Insert 2019.pdf [pdf] 2MB  or visit the Sussex Police website. 

Where Town and Parish Councils levy a charge to pay for very local services, this is also added to the bill.

Every residential property in England receives a council tax bill, regardless of whether it is owned or rented. There is one bill per dwelling, and it is always assumed two or more adults are living at any property. If there are less than two adults you may be entitled to claim a discount on your bill.  For information about exemptions or discounts that may be applicable to certain occupied properties, empty properties and people, please see the appropriate page.

Holiday homes available to let for 140 days a year or more are considered to be businesses and will therefore be charged Business Rates.

 

Explanatory Notes for Council Tax

Please see the following document:  Council Tax Information 2019 - 20.pdf [pdf] 176KB

 

How to register

If you are new to the area and need to register for Council Tax, please use our registration form to set up your account. 
 
If you are already registered for Council Tax in Arun but changing your address, please use our change of circumstances form to tell us about your move. If you are a Benefit claimant please use our benefits change of circumstances form.

 

Valuation bands

Most dwellings are subject to Council Tax. There is one bill per dwelling, whether it is owned or rented. Each dwelling is allocated to one of eight bands according to its open market capital value as at 1 April 1991. The bands are as follows:

  • Band A - Up to and including £40,000
  • Band B - £40,001 - £52,000
  • Band C - £52,001 - £68,000
  • Band D - £68,001 - £88,000
  • Band E - £88,001 - £120,000
  • Band F - £120,001 - £160,000
  • Band G - £160,001 - £320,000
  • Band H - Over £320,000
To find out how your property has been valued, check your band or appeal against your banding, visit the Valuation Office web site or call 03000 501501.
 
 

Payment plans

Your Council Tax bill will normally be divided into 10 monthly instalments, but you can choose one of the following options if you prefer:

•    Two equal payments in April and October 
•    One lump sum in June 
•    12 monthly instalments rather than 10 (Request to extend payments ) 

Direct Debit - This is the most convenient way of paying bills. You can choose the payment date of the 1st, 10th, 15th or 25th of each month. We can accept your instruction over the telephone by calling the Revenues Section on 01903 737752 or you can complete a direct debit instruction online.

To change your payment plan, please email revenues.benefits@arun.gov.uk or call 01903 737752. If you are having difficulty paying, please see the payment difficulties page to see if you are entitled to any help.

 

Council tax appeals

If you think you should not be liable for Council Tax, or have been refused a discount or exemption to which you think you are entitled, you have the right of appeal. You should contact the Council Tax Department, either by emailing revenues.benefits@arun.gov.uk or in writing to the address at the bottom of this page. If you are unable to resolve your dispute directly with the council you should write to:
 
Valuation Tribunal Service South Region
2nd Floor
120 Leman Street
London
E1 8EU
Tel no. 0300 123 2035
Fax no. 0207 7481 4891
 
N.B. You must continue to pay the council tax charge pending the outcome of any appeal.

 

Valuation appeals

If you think your property is in the wrong band you have six months from the date you become liable in which to appeal. You should write to:
 
Council Tax South
Valuation Office Agency
1 Ruskin Square
Dingwall Road
CROYDON
CR0 2WF
Tel: 03000 501 501
 
N.B. You must continue to pay the Council Tax charge pending the outcome of any appeal.