{"id":2948,"date":"2022-04-14T23:54:46","date_gmt":"2022-04-14T22:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/?page_id=2948"},"modified":"2026-03-12T17:58:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T16:58:48","slug":"household-costs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/household-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"Household Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"2948\" class=\"elementor elementor-2948\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6e7d3e79 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6e7d3e79\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-29751bd2\" data-id=\"29751bd2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5dbb0023 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5dbb0023\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-57411871\" data-id=\"57411871\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e03d24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4e03d24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Money Confidence<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbe1a97 hfe-nav-menu__align-left hfe-submenu-icon-arrow hfe-link-redirect-child hfe-nav-menu__breakpoint-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-navigation-menu\" data-id=\"dbe1a97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_menu_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_menu_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;menu_space_between_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;dropdown_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;dropdown_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;dropdown_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_horizontal_dropdown_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:15,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;padding_vertical_dropdown_item_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;distance_from_menu_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_width_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;toggle_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"navigation-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hfe-nav-menu hfe-layout-vertical hfe-nav-menu-layout vertical\" data-layout=\"vertical\">\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"button\" class=\"hfe-nav-menu__toggle elementor-clickable\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Menu<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hfe-nav-menu-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\"  class=\"fas fa-align-justify\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"hfe-nav-menu__layout-vertical hfe-nav-menu__submenu-arrow\" data-toggle-icon=\"&lt;i aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; tabindex=&quot;0&quot; class=&quot;fas fa-align-justify&quot;&gt;&lt;\/i&gt;\" data-close-icon=\"&lt;i aria-hidden=&quot;true&quot; tabindex=&quot;0&quot; class=&quot;far fa-window-close&quot;&gt;&lt;\/i&gt;\" data-full-width=\"yes\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-dbe1a97\" class=\"hfe-nav-menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-701\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/save-money\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Save money<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-700\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/cutting-down-on-bills\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Cutting down on bills<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-699\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/increasing-your-income\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Increasing your income<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1981\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/energy-advice\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Energy Advice<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-1958\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/money-confidence\/planning-for-christmas-2023\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Planning for Christmas<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2932\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/budgeting\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Budgeting<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-2968\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/household-costs\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Household Costs<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-4742\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/life-skills\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Life Skills<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-5443\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/money-and-mind-hub\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Money and Mind Hub<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-6327\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page parent hfe-creative-menu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/money-confidence-resources\/\" class = \"hfe-menu-item\">Money Confidence Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul> \n\t\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-329c8da1\" data-id=\"329c8da1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a094bdc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a094bdc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Household-Costs-help-support-top-tips-.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3474\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Household-Costs-help-support-top-tips-.png 800w, https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Household-Costs-help-support-top-tips--300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Household-Costs-help-support-top-tips--768x192.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8166771 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8166771\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Home Insurance<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbb13c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cbb13c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two main types of home insurance you can take out:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Buildings insurance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; covers the structure of your home and what it would cost to replace any structural damage (e.g. doors, windows etc).<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Contents insurance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; covers your belongings within the home (your laptop, TV, mobile phone).<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>Buildings insurance<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buildings insurance is a policy you would take out to protect yourself and cover the cost of repairing damage or rebuilding your home, both inside and outside, from unforeseen events like fire, floods and water leaks. You would usually get building insurance if you\u2019re:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>a homeowner with a mortgage <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; In order to take out a mortgage, your lender may insist that you take out buildings insurance throughout the duration of the mortgage.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>a homeowner without a mortgage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; As the cost of repairs is your responsibility\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on the insurer, these structures and fittings are commonly covered:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walls<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windows<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doors<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roofs<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ceilings<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kitchen<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bathroom<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Built-in furniture (wardrobe etc)\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Your buildings insurance won\u2019t usually cover the following:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">general wear and tear\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">damages caused by pest infestations\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">damages caused by contractors\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">damages caused by cold weather and frost<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/consumer\/insurance\/insurance\/types-of-insurance\/buildings-insurance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find out more about buildings insurance here<\/span><\/a><\/p><h3><b>Household contents insurance<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This can be used by homeowners or renters. You should consider taking out household contents insurance to cover your possessions against fire, theft and other risks, such as accidental damage. If something happens that destroys or damages your possessions, it can cost a lot of money to replace the items. Contents insurance can also cover items when they are away from the property including bicycles, phones and laptops, but you may have to pay more for this.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some policies offer <\/span><b>new for old cover<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This means you get the replacement cost of a new item for the lost, stolen or damaged item regardless of its age. <\/span><b>Make sure you know which cover your policy offers before you take it out.<\/b><\/p><h3><b>Taking out a household contents policy<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you take out a policy you need to work out how much cover you need, based on the cost of replacing all your possessions. Many people under-insure themselves, so make sure you include everything, including carpets or flooring and the contents of your garage or shed. You may want to get several quotes before choosing a policy.<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/consumer\/insurance\/insurance\/types-of-insurance\/household-contents-insurance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find out more about household contents insurance here<\/span><\/a><\/p><h3><b>Making an insurance claim and excess\u00a0<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s worthwhile knowing what your excess is when you take out your policy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most insurance policies include an <\/span><b>excess <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which is a charge for making a claim, usually deducted from the money you\u2019ll receive.\u00a0 It might not be worth making a claim if the amount you\u2019re claiming is less than the excess. Remember, you don\u2019t have to make a claim even if you\u2019re entitled to do so, but you must tell your insurer about an event.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you need to claim make sure you contact your insurer as soon as possible as there may be time limits for making a claim. You\u2019ll usually be sent a claim form, although some insurers will take the information over the phone.<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/consumer\/insurance\/insurance\/insurance-claims\/making-a-claim-on-your-insurance-policy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find out more about claiming on insurance policies here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64101d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"64101d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Council Tax &amp; Discount Reductions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8f54f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b8f54f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><b>Council tax is an annual fee your local council charges each residential property (every home) for local services, including:<\/b><\/h4><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Police and fire services<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leisure and recreation projects like sports centres and parks<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Libraries and education services<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rubbish and recycling collection<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transport and highway services<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmental health and trading standards\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">administration and record-keeping, including marriages, deaths and local elections.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have the option of paying all of your council tax in one go, or you can split up the bill and pay in monthly instalments to make it easier for you. In some circumstances, you may be able to get a Council tax discount or Council Tax Reduction (CTR).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Council Tax is a priority payment because debt could lead to your council taking you to the magistrate&#8217;s court. This could lead to:\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bailiff enforcement<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">money being taken from your wages or benefits<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">debt being secured against your home\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bankruptcy<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">imprisonment<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h5><b>Whoever is named on the bill is responsible for paying<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; if more than one person is named on the bill, each person will be liable for the whole amount, not only the share they\u2019ve agreed to pay. This is called joint and several liability\u00a0<\/span><\/h5><h3><b>Can I pay less for my Council Tax?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might be able to pay less council tax or not pay it at all depending on your circumstances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Council Tax Discount<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might be able to get a council tax discount for your property if<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">no one lives there<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you live alone<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you live alone apart from a live-in care worker<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You or people you live with are full-time students or apprentices<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Someone in the household has a severe mental impairment<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You live in a larger property than you would need if you or another person living with you were not disabled<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/apply-for-council-tax-discount\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find out about getting a council tax discount on GOV.UK.<\/span><\/a><\/p><h3><b>Council Tax Reduction<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re on a low income you might be able to get your council tax reduced. If you get benefits or have other people living with you, this might affect how much your council tax is reduced by.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your local council will ask you details about your income, savings and your circumstances, so they can work out if you\u2019re entitled to Council Tax Reduction (CTR). They will then work out your new bill and tell you how much council tax you need to pay.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have other people living with you who are aged 18 or over, you might all be responsible for paying council tax. Only one of you needs to apply for CTR.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re awarded CTR, you won&#8217;t normally get an actual payment. The council will reduce the amount of council tax you have to pay.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on where you live, Council Tax Reduction (CTR) might be:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a discount worked out as a percentage of your council tax bill<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a discount of an amount set out in the scheme<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a discount equal to the whole amount of the council tax bill i.e. your council tax is fully covered<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/apply-council-tax-reduction\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find out about getting a council tax reduction on GOV.UK<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also contact your local Citizens Advice to find out how to apply for a discount or reduction.\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/housing\/council-tax\/council-tax\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/housing\/council-tax\/council-tax\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-321e52e4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"321e52e4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-51aac420\" data-id=\"51aac420\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Money Confidence Menu Save money Cutting down on bills Increasing your income Energy Advice Planning for Christmas Budgeting Household Costs Life Skills Money and Mind Hub Money Confidence Resources Home Insurance There are two main types of home insurance you can take out: Buildings insurance &#8211; covers the structure of your home and what it &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/household-costs\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Household Costs<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2948","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2948","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2948"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2948\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7057,"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2948\/revisions\/7057"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citizensadvicecopeland.org.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2948"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}