Council Tax change of address and new registration

When to tell us you're moving

You can tell us about a change of address up to 31 days before the move, or as soon as possible after. The law says you must tell us about a move within 21 days after the move, even if the move is only temporary. If it's already been longer than 21 days since you moved, you should tell us straight away.

Where the house move might affect how much Council Tax you pay, you might pay too much if you don't tell us immediately. Or you might not pay enough, and have to pay the extra later all in one go.

Online form - tell us you are moving or register for Council Tax

You can use our online Council Tax change of address form for moves into, out of, and within Cheshire East and to register a new build or conversion for Council Tax.

The form includes the option to apply for Single Person Discount (SPD) if you will be living alone for the first time. 

Before you fill in the form

Check that Cheshire East is the correct local authority for the address -  see GOV.UK.

Get the following information ready to answer form questions:

• moving dates
• if you’re buying or selling property - solicitors and any joint owner’s details 
• if you were or are now renting a property - landlord or agent’s details, tenancy agreement end/start dates, and any joint tenant details 
• if you will be renting out the house you are moving out of - tenant names and tenancy start date 
• your email address
• your bank details if you want to pay by direct debit 
• if your moving out of the UK we will need a forwarding or a care of address

Tell us you are moving or register for Council Tax

Direct debits

If you already have a direct debit set up with us, we will normally transfer it to the new property. We'll change the amount if needed.

For any queries, contact us.

Council Tax bills when you move

After we get your change of address form, we will issue a Council Tax bill or bills confirming the new details.

The bill for your new property will be dated from completion date if you are buying. If you are renting, it will be from the start date of your tenancy agreement.

The revised bill for your old property will be dated until completion date if you are selling. If you are renting, it will be to the end date of your tenancy agreement.

You will be able to see the bills online if you have an online Cheshire East account.

We normally tell people within 20 working days if the amount due changes. It might take longer if we need to ask you for more information. It is also likely to take longer if you are moving to a new build property or conversion that has not yet been banded for Council Tax. 

Overpayments and refunds

If you are moving within Cheshire East, we'll credit any overpayment from the old account to the account for your new address.

If you've overpaid and you're moving out of Cheshire East, we'll refund the money to your bank account if we have your bank account details. If we don't already have your bank details, then you'll need to contact the Council Tax team to ask for a refund. 

We don't normally send cheques.

Transferring Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and Council Tax reductions 

If you're claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support and moving house, you'll also need to contact the Benefits team to tell them about the move.

Any Council Tax reductions will transfer to your new address if you are moving within Cheshire East (unless the circumstances that give you the reduction change - see change of circumstances). Otherwise you will need to make a new application. 

Online form - tell us about a tenant change for Council Tax

To fill in the Council Tax tenant change form, you will need:

• the tenants’ names
• moving in or out dates
• tenancy start or end dates

If you are an agent acting on behalf of the landlord or owner you must enter the landlord's or owner's details in the form, not your own.

Report a change of tenancy

Council Tax bills when tenants change

Tenants are responsible for paying Council Tax bills during the period of their tenancy. The tenant will still be liable from the tenancy start, even if they move in later, providing that the tenancy agreement is for a minimum of six months.

If a tenant moves out of a property before their tenancy agreement ends, they may remain liable for Council Tax if their tenancy agreement was for a minimum of six months.

Between tenancy agreements, the landlord is usually responsible for paying Council Tax and we issue a Council Tax bill in their name.

We'll normally issue the bill within 20 working days. It might take longer if we need to ask you for more information.

If you have an online Cheshire East account, you can see your bills online.

Overpayments and refunds when tenants change

When new tenants move in, we will refund any overpayments you have made. 

In order to minimise potential fraud we no longer issue refunds by cheque and will only refund direct to a bank account. We don’t normally issue refunds for amounts under £5.

Further information regarding refunds including the form, can be found via Council Tax refunds.