Is debt advice really free?

Yes, with the charities and services listed above. They are funded so you do not have to pay. If a company asks for an up-front fee for advice, stop and check them against the Financial Conduct Authority's register first.

Will getting debt advice affect my credit score?

Talking to an adviser does not affect your credit file. Some solutions, such as a debt management plan or IVA, can be recorded on it. An adviser will explain the effects before you choose.

Will the adviser judge me?

No. Debt advisers help people from all walks of life, and what you tell them is confidential. Many people get into debt after a job loss, illness, relationship breakdown or a rise in living costs.

Does Sterlingsum give debt advice?

No. Sterlingsum is an information site and is not authorised to give debt advice. We link to organisations that are. We do not receive payment from any of the services listed on this page.

Council Tax bands explained

Where your band comes from, how bills differ by band and how to check yours.

The short answer

Council Tax bands run from A to H in England and Scotland, and A to I in Wales. Your band was set by the value of your home on a fixed date, not today's value, and it decides your bill. Each council sets a charge for one band, normally Band D, and the other bands are fixed fractions of it.

How the bands relate

In England, a Band A home pays 6/9 of the Band D charge, Band B 7/9, Band C 8/9, Band E 11/9, Band F 13/9, Band G 15/9 and Band H twice the Band D charge.
Scotland and Wales use different ratios and, in Wales, an extra band I.
See the exact figures for your council with the Council Tax band calculator.

Where the band comes from

In England, bands are based on what a home would have sold for on 1 April 1991. Scotland also uses 1991 values.
In Wales, values were reassessed in 2003, which is why the bands differ.
Your band is not reviewed every year, and it does not change just because house prices rise.

Finding and checking your band

You can look up the band for any address in England or Wales on GOV.UK. In Scotland, use the Scottish Assessors website.
Compare it with similar homes nearby. If neighbours in similar houses have a lower band, you may have grounds to challenge.
Challenging is free on GOV.UK. Take care, because in rare cases a band can be increased as well as cut.

Ways to pay less

A 25% single person discount if you are the only adult in the home.
Exemptions and discounts for some groups, such as full-time students and some people with disabilities.
Council Tax Reduction if you are on a low income, see Council Tax Reduction explained.
If you are struggling to pay, talk to your council early and see our free debt help page.

Where to learn more

This guide is for information only and is not tax, benefits or financial advice. Rules and amounts can change, so check the official pages before you rely on them.