Change of address or circumstances
If you are a landlord, you can let us know if a tenant moves in and out of your property on the Council Tax information for landlords webpage.
If you are moving home or your circumstances change, you need to let us know.
Change of address
Before completing the online form you will need the following:
- Council Tax account number (if you previously paid for Council Tax in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees)
- for an owned property, the date sale was completed and the name of the new owner
- for a rented property:
- if you are the tenant, we will need your landlord's name, address and contact number
- if you are the landlord, we will need your tenant's name, previous or forwarding address and the names of any other people aged 18 or over who live with the tenant
If you currently pay Council Tax to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and are moving home, you can:
Tell us about a change of address
Do not tell us about a change of address more than 14 days before you are due to move.
If you are buying a property but are not moving in, then please let us know by completing our change in circumstance form.
Register for Council Tax
If you do not currently pay Council Tax to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, you need to register to pay. You can:
Register to pay for Council Tax
Change of circumstances
If your home circumstances change this may affect your Council Tax, you can:
Tell us about a change in circumstances
Council Tax civil penalties
Local authorities are responsible for ensuring Council Tax is charged correctly and fairly. To do this, councils rely on residents, property owners and landlords to provide accurate and timely information.
The law allows us to charge a penalty of £70 if you fail to provide information within 21 days, when reasonably requested by the council. The £70 is added to your Council Tax account.
The law also allows us to charge a £280 penalty for knowingly supplying false information.
What is a Council Tax civil penalty?
A Council Tax civil penalty is a financial charge issued by the council when a person does not comply with legal requirements relating to Council Tax.
Civil penalties are not criminal fines. They are designed to encourage compliance with Council Tax regulations and help ensure everyone pays the correct amount.
When a civil penalty may be applied
The council may issue a civil penalty in the following circumstances:
Failure to provide information
You must respond to requests from the council for information relating to:
- occupancy of a property
- ownership or liability
- discount or exemption entitlement
Failure to respond within a 21 day period may result in a penalty.
Failure to report changes without a reasonable excuse
You must notify the council as soon as possible if there is a change that affects your Council Tax, including:
- moving into or out of a property
- changes to household members
- a property becoming empty or occupied
- a change affecting discounts or exemptions
Providing false or misleading information
A penalty may be applied if someone knowingly provides false or misleading information to:
- reduce their Council Tax bill
- obtain a discount or exemption they are not entitled to
Appealing a penalty
If you believe a civil penalty has been issued incorrectly, you should contact the council as soon as possible to discuss the matter.
If the issue cannot be resolved, you may have the right to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. Details on how to appeal, including time limits, will be included in your notification letter.
How to avoid a civil penalty
You can help avoid a civil penalty by:
- responding promptly to council requests for information
- providing accurate and complete details
- reporting changes as soon as they occur
- contacting the council if you are unsure whether a change affects your Council Tax
Contact us
If you require further help please complete our online contact form.
