Register for Council Tax or tell us about a change
If you own or rent a property in the New Forest that is not being used as a business, you must register for Council Tax as soon as you move in.
We will send you a bill, which will tell you how much to pay, and how much your monthly instalments will be, which are to be paid by 31 March.
If you move within the district or move out of the district you need to let us know as soon as possible or you might be paying the wrong amount.
People who join or leave your household might also affect the amount of Council Tax you need to pay.
On this page:
Register for Council Tax for the first time
If you are registering for Council Tax with us for the first time, use the form below to provide your details. It is the quickest and simplest way to tell us you have moved in.
You can also use this form to set-up a Direct Debit, this is the easiest way to pay.
We will acknowledge receipt of your details and will send you a Council Tax bill.
Report a change of address
You need to tell us if you move into another property in the district or out of the district.
You can tell us about any change of address using the form below.
You will need to provide:
- the Council Tax account number for your old address, you can find this on your bill
- your old and new addresses, including the date of your move
- details of the people who have moved with you
- the date furniture was moved out
- the name and address of your landlord, if you are renting
We will review your change. If you have moved within the district, we will send you a new bill. If you have moved out of the area, we will send a final bill to your new address.
If you have paid too much Council Tax and you move within the district, we will transfer your credit to your new bill and reduce your monthly instalments.
If you have paid to much Council Tax and you move out of the district you will be due a refund. We will automatically refund you if you pay by Direct Debit. If you do not pay by Direct Debit you can request a refund.
Report a change of tenant
If you are a landlord or agent you can tell us online that:
- there is a change in tenant who pay Council Tax at your property, or
- the tenant has moved out and the property is empty
Reporting the change online can help us to process the change and/or any Council Tax discount as quickly as possible.
Report a change to a tenanted property
If you receive Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit
If you get Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support and you have a change in your circumstances, such as income, savings or who lives with you, or if you move, you should tell us as soon as possible.
Please visit our benefits change of circumstances page for more information and to complete our online form.
Report a change of circumstances if you receive benefits
Provide your details
We may contact you to request extra details to ensure we have the right information. You can provide this information using the form below.
Tell us about any other change
There are some changes to your circumstances that might affect the amount of Council Tax you have to pay.
This includes:
- if you get Single Person Discount and another adult moves in or a child reaches the age of 18
- if your property is exempt from Council Tax, and the reason for the exemption no longer applies
- if your property was empty and has now become occupied
- if you have legally changed your name
- if someone you live with has passed away, or you are acting on behalf of someone who has passed away
You also need to tell us if you pay by Direct Debit, you change your bank account and you do not use the Current Account Switching Service. If you don't you may not be paying your instalments.
You can tell us about changes that might affect your Council Tax using our online form. You will need to provide:
- the council tax account number, you can find this on your bill
- details of the change
Tell us about a change of circumstances
We will review your changes and if the amount you need to pay changes, we will send you a new bill.