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Home >> council >> departments >> supportservices
Frequently Asked Questions
Since 2004, Fareham has had an excellent record of below inflation increases in its portion of Council Tax. Now, for the second year in a row, we have been able to freeze our portion of Council Tax at £140.22 or 38p per day for 2011/12. We have achieved this through efficiency savings, prudent financial management and strict cost control, in spite of economic and funding pressures.
The current economic downturn together with the reduction in Government funding has put major pressures on the council's finances however, it remains one of the Council's Corporate Improvement Actions to keep any increase in Council Tax at or below the rate of inflation.
The total Council Tax bill, taking into account the amount due in respect of Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Police Authority and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, for a band D property is £1,385.73, the same as last year.
What do I get for my Council Tax?
The extensive range of services that the Council provides is summarised in the leaflet that is delivered with your Council Tax bill. These include sport and recreation, planning, refuse and recycling collection, housing, benefits, environmental health, street cleaning, community safety, etc. A more detailed performance plan is also published in the Spring edition of the Fareham Today magazine.
What happens to the interest earned from the Council's investments?
Interest earned (£545,000 planned in 2011/12) is offset against the net cost of services, which keeps the Council Tax at an affordable level.
What will happen if I refuse to pay the Council Tax?
You are legally obliged to pay the Council Tax. If payments are not made, the Council will issue a single reminder. If this does not prompt a payment, then the Council will issue a Court summons, which could lead to further action to collect the debt, including the attachment of earnings or the attachment of certain benefits, the use of Bailiffs.
What can I do if I can't afford to pay my Council Tax?
Discounts, exemptions and benefits are offered in certain circumstances. For example, students, single occupants, and owners of second homes are all entitled to a discount. For full details about discounts and benefits available, please contact the Council Tax office on Tel: 01329 824651, or e-mail counciltax@fareham.gov.uk, or see the Council Tax pages on our website if you wish to claim Council Tax Benefits, please complete and return this form. The benefits department will then contact you to let you know what information they need to process your claim.
Where can I find out more about Hampshire County Council's budget increases?
For more information, contact the County Treasurers Department, The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UB, or e-mail budget@hants.gov.uk, tel: 0845 603 5638
Where can I find out more about Hampshire Police Authority's budget increases?
For more information, contact the Clerk to the Police Authority, Westgate Chambers, Staple Gardens, Winchester, SO23 8AW, or e-mail office@hantspa.org, tel: 01962 871595
Where can I find out more about Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority's budget increases?
For more information, contact the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Headquarters, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9SJ, or e-mail reception@hantsfire.gov.uk, tel: 023 8062 6867
How much do local businesses pay towards the cost of running the Council?
Business rates are collected by Fareham Borough Council on behalf of the Government and all the money collected is paid over to them. The Government then determine how much of the rates collected nationally should be repaid to each Council directly.
When will Council Tax bands be revalued?
The last Government postponed the 2007 revaluation of domestic properties for Council Tax purposes. There is currently no proposed date for the revaluation.
Who has to pay Council Tax?
Normally the person who lives in a property will have to pay the Council Tax. Where more than one person lives in a shared property, the person who is highest in this list is responsible for paying Council Tax (if there are two or more people at the same level, they may be jointly liable):
A freehold owner who occupies the property as a main residence
A leasehold owner who occupies the property as a main residence
A tenant who occupies the property as a main residence
A licensee who occupies the property as a main residence
Anyone else who lives in the property as a main residence, with or without permission from the owner.
In some circumstances, the owner, and not necessarily the resident, is liable for payment of Council Tax:
Properties that are "no-one's" main home
Homes where the tenants have separate tenancy agreements for part of the property or where it has been adapted for partial occupation (Houses in Multiple Occupation), for example, bedsits
Care homes, nursing homes and night shelters
Religious communities (monasteries or convents)
Properties which are not the owner's main home but are occupied by domestic staff
Homes where a minister of religion lives and works
Properties occupied by asylum seekers who are receiving support directly from the home office.
For further information please contact the Council Tax office on Tel: 01329 824651, or e-mail counciltax@fareham.gov.uk
What should I do with regards to Council Tax if I Move?
If you are moving out from a property in Fareham you should email counciltax@fareham.gov.uk so that we can make any adjustments to your bill.
Council Tax Online
Would you like to view your Council Tax statement on line or receive Council Tax or National Non Domestic Rate bills electronically? To register for this free service please complete your details here
Council Tax
Current Council Tax Bands and Charges
If you want to know the band that a particular property falls into in Fareham, you can inspect the valuation list at the Civic Offices during normal working hours. Alternately, you can check a property banding by going to Check your Council Tax Banding page of the valuation office web site (this is an external hyperlink).
To see how your Council Tax bill is made up, see Calculation of a Band D Charge
For more information on valuation bands, see How is Council Tax Calculated?
Council Tax and Bands 2012-2013
| Council Tax Charges | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Band | Band Values | This Year 2012/2013 | Last Year 2011/2012 |
| A |
Up to £40,000 |
£923.82 | £923.82 |
| B |
£40,001 to £52,000 |
£1077.79 | £1077.79 |
| C |
£52,001 to £68,000 |
£1231.76 | £1231.76 |
| D |
£68,001 to £88,000 |
£1385.73 | £1385.73 |
| E |
£88,001 to £120,000 |
£1693.67 | £1693.67 |
| F |
£120,001 to £160,000 |
£2001.61 | £2001.61 |
| G |
£160,001 to £320,000 |
£2309.55 | £2309.55 |
| H |
Over £320,001 |
£2771.46 | £2771.46 |
For further information please contact the Council Tax office on Tel: 01329 824651, or e-mail counciltax@fareham.gov.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the Council Tax go up by from April 2011?Since 2004, Fareham has had an excellent record of below inflation increases in its portion of Council Tax. Now, for the second year in a row, we have been able to freeze our portion of Council Tax at £140.22 or 38p per day for 2011/12. We have achieved this through efficiency savings, prudent financial management and strict cost control, in spite of economic and funding pressures.
The current economic downturn together with the reduction in Government funding has put major pressures on the council's finances however, it remains one of the Council's Corporate Improvement Actions to keep any increase in Council Tax at or below the rate of inflation.
The total Council Tax bill, taking into account the amount due in respect of Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Police Authority and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, for a band D property is £1,385.73, the same as last year.
What do I get for my Council Tax?
The extensive range of services that the Council provides is summarised in the leaflet that is delivered with your Council Tax bill. These include sport and recreation, planning, refuse and recycling collection, housing, benefits, environmental health, street cleaning, community safety, etc. A more detailed performance plan is also published in the Spring edition of the Fareham Today magazine.
What happens to the interest earned from the Council's investments?
Interest earned (£545,000 planned in 2011/12) is offset against the net cost of services, which keeps the Council Tax at an affordable level.
What will happen if I refuse to pay the Council Tax?
You are legally obliged to pay the Council Tax. If payments are not made, the Council will issue a single reminder. If this does not prompt a payment, then the Council will issue a Court summons, which could lead to further action to collect the debt, including the attachment of earnings or the attachment of certain benefits, the use of Bailiffs.
What can I do if I can't afford to pay my Council Tax?
Discounts, exemptions and benefits are offered in certain circumstances. For example, students, single occupants, and owners of second homes are all entitled to a discount. For full details about discounts and benefits available, please contact the Council Tax office on Tel: 01329 824651, or e-mail counciltax@fareham.gov.uk, or see the Council Tax pages on our website if you wish to claim Council Tax Benefits, please complete and return this form. The benefits department will then contact you to let you know what information they need to process your claim.
Where can I find out more about Hampshire County Council's budget increases?
For more information, contact the County Treasurers Department, The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UB, or e-mail budget@hants.gov.uk, tel: 0845 603 5638
Where can I find out more about Hampshire Police Authority's budget increases?
For more information, contact the Clerk to the Police Authority, Westgate Chambers, Staple Gardens, Winchester, SO23 8AW, or e-mail office@hantspa.org, tel: 01962 871595
Where can I find out more about Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority's budget increases?
For more information, contact the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Headquarters, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9SJ, or e-mail reception@hantsfire.gov.uk, tel: 023 8062 6867
How much do local businesses pay towards the cost of running the Council?
Business rates are collected by Fareham Borough Council on behalf of the Government and all the money collected is paid over to them. The Government then determine how much of the rates collected nationally should be repaid to each Council directly.
When will Council Tax bands be revalued?
The last Government postponed the 2007 revaluation of domestic properties for Council Tax purposes. There is currently no proposed date for the revaluation.
Who has to pay Council Tax?
Normally the person who lives in a property will have to pay the Council Tax. Where more than one person lives in a shared property, the person who is highest in this list is responsible for paying Council Tax (if there are two or more people at the same level, they may be jointly liable):
A freehold owner who occupies the property as a main residence
A leasehold owner who occupies the property as a main residence
A tenant who occupies the property as a main residence
A licensee who occupies the property as a main residence
Anyone else who lives in the property as a main residence, with or without permission from the owner.
In some circumstances, the owner, and not necessarily the resident, is liable for payment of Council Tax:
Properties that are "no-one's" main home
Homes where the tenants have separate tenancy agreements for part of the property or where it has been adapted for partial occupation (Houses in Multiple Occupation), for example, bedsits
Care homes, nursing homes and night shelters
Religious communities (monasteries or convents)
Properties which are not the owner's main home but are occupied by domestic staff
Homes where a minister of religion lives and works
Properties occupied by asylum seekers who are receiving support directly from the home office.
For further information please contact the Council Tax office on Tel: 01329 824651, or e-mail counciltax@fareham.gov.uk
What should I do with regards to Council Tax if I Move?
If you are moving out from a property in Fareham you should email counciltax@fareham.gov.uk so that we can make any adjustments to your bill.
Council Tax Online
Would you like to view your Council Tax statement on line or receive Council Tax or National Non Domestic Rate bills electronically? To register for this free service please complete your details here
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Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Hampshire, PO16 7AZ
Tel: +44 (0)1329 236100 | Mobile Text/Photo: 07876 131415 | Fax: +44 (0)1329 821770
