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Know Your Rights UK
Council Issues

Council Issues, Your Rights as a Resident

Councils make decisions that significantly affect people's lives, housing, benefits, planning, and more. When they get things wrong, residents have legal rights to challenge decisions, appeal, and complain. You don't have to accept a decision you believe is wrong.

Get council advice
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Council Tax
Discounts, exemptions, what happens if you can't pay, and challenging your bill.
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Council Tax Exemptions
Who doesn't pay council tax, students, pensioners, foster carers, single occupancy discount.
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Council Tax Bands
How to check your band, whether you're in the right one, and how to appeal for a refund.
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Housing Applications
How the housing register works, priority banding, appealing a decision.
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Council Complaints
How to complain to your council and escalate to the Local Government Ombudsman.
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Planning Permission
Permitted development, objecting to planning applications, and appealing a refusal.
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Council Tax Reduction
Means-tested support to reduce your council tax bill, how to apply and what you can get.
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Council Tax Appeals
Challenge your band or a liability decision, the Valuation Tribunal, and refunds for past overpayments.
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Council Tax Debt
Behind on council tax? Reminder notices, liability orders, bailiffs, and how to stop enforcement.
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Freedom of Information
Your right to request information from councils and public bodies, and what to do if they refuse.

Got a council problem?

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