Council tax

Council tax is set by local councils to help pay for local services like policing and refuse collection. It applies to all domestic properties, including houses, bungalows, flats, maisonettes, mobile homes or houseboats, whether owned or rented.

The council sets the annual charge for council tax for each band, based on criteria set by the Government and then issues each household with an annual bill.

These pages provide you with information and interactive services about paying for council tax in Salford, including details of discounts, benefit and some exemptions that may be available.

Salford customer account

With a Salford customer account, you are able to view your council tax account summary, payments made, planned instalments and special arrangements. You can also make a payment with your debit or credit card.

Council tax for 2011 to 2012

You can find out what your council tax bill is for the year commencing 1 April 2011 on the council tax bands for 2011 to 2012 page.

Find out the different ways you can get debt advice.

Who is responsible for paying the bill?

There’s one council tax bill for each home. Usually it’s the owner-occupier, or the tenant living in the property, who has to pay the bill. If the property is empty, it’s the owner. Men and women who live together as husband and wife are both responsible for paying the bill, even if it’s only addressed to one of them.

Technically, the person who has to pay the council tax is called the ‘liable person’. The person at the top or nearest to the top of the following list is the liable person:

• lives in the property and owns it
• lives in the property and has a lease (this includes ‘assured tenants’ under the Housing Act 1988)
• lives in the property and is a ‘statutory’ or ‘secure’ tenant
• lives in the property and isn’t a tenant but has permission to live there
• lives in the property (for example a squatter)
• owns the property but doesn’t live there

Note: You can’t be a ‘liable person’ if you’re under age 18.

If you’re still unsure about who is responsible for paying the bill contact us for further advice.

Who to contact

Name

Customer Services

Address

Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
Salford
M27 5AW
Map to this location

Telephone

0161 909 6502

Email

counciltaxenquiries@salford.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 22 September 2011