Council tax craziness
If I lived on the other side of my road, I could save £171 in council tax.
I live in Haringey – council tax for a band D property, £1,384 – while the people whose windows face me are in Islington – council tax, £1,213.
You always read about people in this situation in ‘isn’t council tax crazy’ stories. And I must admit my initial reaction tends to be ‘well, move to the other side of the road then you fool.’
But - as with most things - when it happens to you, a bit more thought is applied
Now, to the objective eye, my side of the road is definitely nicer. We live in a converted house - opposite are flats above shops. We have the nicer pub and the nearest park. However, I am not sure this justifies £171 a year.
In fact, the other side has some better stuff too - the tube station for a start. Plus, while I know this is EDF’s fault and not the council’s, for some bizarre reason the electricity on my side of the road keeps going off for hours on end.
And ask me when the lights are off for six hours if I’d move opposite, save nearly £200 a year, have electricity, and walk ten yards further to the park and I’d probably jump at the chance.
The discrepancy illustrates the ridiculous nature of where council tax has got to. What might have started out with good intentions has become a farce. But my fear is that when the reform comes we will all just get hit with even bigger bills – and my dealings with Haringey don’t lead me to think I am getting value for money.
Money saving tip: Move to Wandsworth – council tax £656 per year.
- Simon Lambert, This is Money
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