Council Tax explained

Council Tax is a locally set tax that is charged on domestic properties which helps to pay for the services provided by all the local authorities in your area. These include Derbyshire Dales District Council, Derbyshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority and the Town or Parish Council where you live.

Derbyshire Dales District Council needs income to provide services to the community including refuse collection, housing, leisure facilities, planning and development services and environmental services.

There are rules for who is liable to pay the Council Tax. In general, where a dwelling is occupied, the owners (if it is owner/occupied) or tenants (if it is rented) will be liable, provided they are aged 18 or over. Only persons aged 18 or over are classed as residents of a dwelling.

Most dwellings are subject to Council Tax. There is one bill per dwelling, whether it is a house, bungalow, flat, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat, and whether it is owned or rented. Each dwelling has been allocated to one of eight bands according to its open market capital value at 1st April 1991.

Long Term Empty Homes Premium

The Council will apply an additional council tax charge, called a premium, in respect of properties that have been continuously unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for 2 years or longer. Find further information about the long term empty homes premium.

Second Homes Premium

The Council will apply an additional council tax charge, called a premium, in respect of properties that are classed as second homes. Find further information about the second homes premium.

How you can help us

• Tell us straight away if you move home or business, or if there is any change in your circumstances especially if you are receiving council tax benefit, a discount, an exemption or business rate relief.
• Put your payer reference number on all correspondence sent to us
• Answer our requests for information as soon as possible

Please contact us on 01629 818222 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that we can help you to get your payments back on track or provide help and advice if you are experiencing financial difficulties.

Independent help is also available via Citizen’s Advice on 0808 278 7954 or Step Change via www.stepchange.org where there is a variety of advice online for a range of debt problems