Published: Thursday, 24th March 2022

The information residents need on the £150 Council Tax Rebate.

The Council will be paying £150 to residents in council tax bands A to D as part of the Government’s Energy Bills Rebate. Residents who pay their council tax by direct debit will automatically receive the payment. 

Cllr Linda Perks, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said:  

“We understand that more people in our communities will be struggling with the cost of living crisis and are working hard to ensure that no eligible resident is left behind. This is the first payment of its kind, so we ask for patience as we go through this important process.” 

“If you have not done so already, I recommend you sign up to direct debit now to ensure that this is paid to you as quickly as possible. If you are currently signed up to pay in this way, and we collect your council tax instalment in April, you do not need to take any further steps.”

More than 100,000 payments will be made from April 2022 onwards to residents who pay by direct debit and those that do not. The payment to non-direct debit payers may take longer but will take place in due course.

Eligibility for the £150 payment  

You will be eligible for the payment if your property is in bands A to D, even if you:  

  • pay a reduced amount of council tax 
  • do not pay council tax because you get Local Council Tax Support  
  • get the Single Person Discount 
  • are behind with your council tax payments, known as being 'in arrears' 

You may also get the payment if you:

  • live in a home occupied only by full time students
  • live in a home occupied only by people under the age of 18
  • live in a home occupied only by one or more adults who have a severe mental impairment
  • are a dependent relative living in an annex of your family home

You would not qualify if: 

  • the property is a second home or empty 
  • you are registered for council tax as the landlord of a house of multiple occupation (HMO) 

For houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) where the landlord pays council tax but the tenant pays the utility bills, tenants may be able to apply for discretionary support that amounts to the same value. 

Signing up to pay your council tax by direct debit means that we will have all the information we need to make the payment as soon as possible. You can find out more here: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/directdebit

If you cannot set up a direct debit

If you cannot pay your council tax by direct debit you will need to apply for your payment. We will write to you in April to tell you when and how you can apply online.

Residents will not be asked to repay the Council Tax Rebate.

If you need further advice or support, please visit royalgreenwich.gov.uk/counciltax or call 0208 921 4409.