Changes in circumstances

If my circumstances change, do I have to tell you?

If you have a change in your circumstances that you think might affect your entitlement you must tell us about it – you can use the online change in circumstance form, but we may still need evidence of the change.

You should notify us within 21 days at the latest. If you fail to notify a change in circumstances, you may be liable to prosecution, or we could impose a penalty.

Changes you should tell us about

The list is not exhaustive but a change in your circumstance could be something like:

  • Any of your children leave school or leave home.
  • Anyone moves into or out of your home, including lodgers and sub tenants.
  • Your income or the income of anyone living with you changes.
  • Your savings or investments change.
  • You or anyone living with you becomes a student, goes into hospital or a nursing home, goes into prison, or changes or leaves a job.
  • You are or intend to be out of the country for more than 4 weeks.

Changes in circumstances are normally effective from the Monday following the date of change. We will reassess your entitlement and amend the amount of council tax you have to pay and send you a new bill.

Tell us about changes in your circumstances