Council tax very unfair to single people

[Lettuceandtomatoes]

The council tax for my area is £1800 full whack, a single person 25% off. I pay £140 a month which is ok until I realised the three adults next door are paying £60 pounds each and a couple paying £90 each. So why this inequality aimed at single people, picking up the tab?

If you knew that, then why pose the question, when the answer is obviously that it’s as fair a system as they can possibly get, and single people are not being penalised unfairly. 🤔

It definitely costs more everyday to be a singleton. But why should society (ie the rest of the population) subsidise any one's choices?

Well I guess you could see it like that - single people are subsidising couples by paying more tax than them. Taxation means we're all "subsidising" each other to an extent I guess, by putting money in the collective pot - nobody's "paying" for bins and fire brigade really - they cost fuck all in the context of council tax - what we're paying for is adult social care for citizens who can't fund care themselves. I mean, that's what our council tax is mostly for. But it does seem crazy that single people are taxed so much more.

But why should society (ie the rest of the population) subsidise any one's choices?

That’s kind of what a society does - how many parents actually pay the full cost of raising their children? (I’m very happy for my taxes to go towards that - but it’s still subsidising someone else’s choice)

Also being single / living on your own isn’t always a choice.

@Papyrophile

It definitely costs more everyday to be a singleton. But why should society (ie the rest of the population) subsidise any one's choices?

Have you seen the state of what's around on dating apps lately. 😂Being single isn't a 'lifestyle' choice for many people - it's a necessity. And by the same token, why should people who use less resources be charged the same as those who use substantially more?

That being said, to hear people being charged over £300 a month in Wales and people in Mayfair paying considerably less has led me to think about winding my neck in a bit.

What a weird and unfair system.

Being single is the default. We're all single, until we're not, maybe, for a while.

Why do you think you are subsiding other people’s life choices?

I am a single woman, pay a lot in income tax and council tax. I think I am subsidising other people’s life choices😊, as well as paying towards people who need assistance. I take a lot less out of the system than I put in. I will have to pay for any care I need when I am elderly - my savings and house will take the brunt.

Can you expand on how people who have children are subsidising me?

@Thepeppapigfanclub Wandsworth is another one with famously low council tax - they pay around a third of what I do. So there's another option for you - just buy a flat in fucking Wimbledon or Putney or such. Who's subsidising who again?

As usual... It really shouldn't come as a shock now, but still does.

I get what you are saying.

But haven't seen a 2 for 1 offer for years (might be where we shop).

We don't have any netflix etc, and don't go out.

Tax breaks?

But I appreciate that it does cost more per person to live separately. It must be tough for her. More tough than it is for a couple who are both earning.

On the plus side...you can hog the duvet, and star fish in the double bed 😁

I am not making personal comments. And I thank every net contributor. Just saying that there are more people who think they need helping out than there are people with such a surplus of cash that they just must pay more tax.

I was thinking 'holidays' but already mentioned... And penalised A LOT.

All of these are examples of discretionary spending anyway.

But single people are taxed more. They pay more tax than couples. The state taxes them at a higher rate than it taxes couples. That's money that they've gone out to work to earn, and they have less of it as take-home than couples do. Regardless of what you personally do faffing on with netflix or whatever, single people are taxed at a higher rate than you are.

I do agree, and I think with the cost of living crisis it must be nearly impossible for many. I don't know what to say.

My final thought on this is not having to wash the skiddies out of some sub-standard man's underpants comes at a high price.

But it's one I'm still 'willing to' (ie forced) to pay.

Do you mean because a couple or singles who flat share get 2 personal allowances but only have to pay for one set of bills?

Not only do I pay disproportionately for council tax, I also pay over the odds for water. I get a 25% because they could not fit a meter, but there is no way I use 75% of the water than the families on each side of me use. It really annoys me that I pay over the odds.

It is not always a choice to be single and/or live alone.

If I lived with my DP, I would be be significantly worse off. I am on UC, and would lose it altogether (but whether that is fair or not could be a whole different topic entirely).

I'm assuming after 18 pages, that I haven't read, that someone has mentioned poll tax?

Not disagreeing btw. Very anti family.

It definitely costs more everyday to be a singleton. But why should society (ie the rest of the population) subsidise any one's choices?

Single childless people subsidize families all the time. By your standards, families would be totally fucked.

@peacocksuite there has been discussion of poll tax, yes. Feel free to scroll up and read it.

Yet an empty property attracts 100 percent charge.

As it should @caringcarer If you ever go to Cornwall and take an AIr BnB for a few days, only a few years ago, that property was almost certainly someone's permanent rented home. It's a very very sore spot in the county. Because holiday lets aren't regulated under the same or even similar rules.

YANBU it's very unfair.
Single people, especially those without children, get thoroughly rinsed.

Same. Water rates also seem unfair.
I am alone in a 3 bed, but pay £40 a month on water (unmetered) as it is assumed my house is full of people.

Can't you get a water meter? Sounds like you would actually reduce your bill that way.