Moving home - Council Tax

Set up a Council Tax account 

When you move into Bedford Borough, or if you are paying Council Tax in Bedford Borough for the first time, you need to tell us so we can set up a Council Tax account for you. This includes if: 

• you are moving into a new property in Bedford Borough from outside of the borough, whether you are buying or renting the property
• you are moving out of your parents' home in the borough into your first home which is also in the borough, and paying Council Tax for the first time
• you are buying a second property in the borough

Information you will need to complete the online form

You can ask us to set up your Council Tax account by completing our online form. Please make sure you have the following information to hand before you start:

• Details of all the adults aged 18 years old or over who will be living at the property with you, including students. 
• At least one telephone number so we can contact you if we need to.
• If you are renting you will need to tell us your tenancy start date, the date you are moving in and whether the property is furnished or unfurnished.
• If you are buying your property you will need to tell us whether it is freehold or leasehold, your completion date and the date you moved in / plan to move in. You will also need to provide contact details for either your purchaser or their solicitor.

By submitting the form, you agree that you have read and accepted how we process your personal data.

I am moving into the borough / I am paying Council Tax for the first time

You will land on our 'Council Tax options' page - please select the 'I am moving into the borough' option again.  

Tell us you are moving within the borough

If you already live in Bedford Borough, already have a Council Tax account and are moving to a different property which is also in Bedford Borough, you can let us know using this online form.

Information you will need to complete the online form

You will need the following information to hand, so please make sure you have it ready before you start:

• Your Council Tax account reference number - you need this reference number in order to complete the online form. You can find it in the top right hand corner of your most recent Council Tax bill, it is made up of ten numbers and starts with 22. 
• Details of all the adults aged 18 years old or over who will be living at the property with you, including students. 
• At least one telephone number so we can contact you if we need to.
• If you are renting you will need to tell us your tenancy start date, the date you are moving in and whether the property is furnished or unfurnished.
• If you are buying your property you will need to tell us whether it is freehold or leasehold, your completion date and the date you moved in / plan to move in. You will also need to provide contact details for either your purchaser or their solicitor.

What if I don't know my Council Tax account reference number?

Your Council Tax account reference number can be found:

• on your Council Tax bill
• on any correspondence from the Council Tax team, such as a bill reminder or a letter
• on your bank statement or on your online banking app as the transaction reference (if you pay by direct debit).

Remember, your Council Tax account reference number is made up of ten numbers and starts with 22.

Please be precise when completing the online form

When completing the online form, it is important that you type your details precisely as they appear on your bill. Any information that does not match will mean you cannot proceed with the form. For example, if you usually shorten your name to Chris but the name on your bill is Christopher, you need to type Christopher when completing the online form.

By submitting the form, you agree that you have read and accepted how we process your personal data.

I am moving within the borough  

You will land on our 'Council Tax options' page - please select the 'I am moving within the borough' option again.  

Tell us you are moving out of the borough

If you are moving out of Bedford Borough, you need to let us know so we can send you the correct final bill. 

This includes if you are:

• moving out of Bedford Borough to an address in a different Council area
• moving out of a property in the borough to live with friends or family within Bedford Borough
• moving to a residential care home
• in the process of selling / have already sold a second property in Bedford Borough

When to tell us

Please tell us you are moving out of Bedford Borough about a month before you move. Once you have told us you are moving out, we aim to send you your closing Council Tax bill within 10 working days.

Information you will need to complete the online form

You will need the following information to hand, so please make sure you have it ready before you start:

• Your Council Tax account reference number - you need this reference number in order to complete the online form. You can find it in the top right hand corner of your most recent Council Tax bill, it is made up of ten numbers and starts with 22. 
• Your forwarding address.
• Contact details for the new owner / tenant (if you have them).

What if I don't know my Council Tax account reference number?

Your Council Tax account reference number can be found:

• on your Council Tax bill
• on any correspondence from the Council Tax team, such as a bill reminder or a letter
• on your bank statement or on your online banking app as the transaction reference (if you pay by direct debit).

Remember, your Council Tax account reference number is made up of ten numbers and starts with 22.

Please be precise when completing the online form

Please make sure you use the details precisely as they appear on your bill when you complete the online form. Any information that does not match will mean you cannot proceed with the form. For example, if you usually shorten your name to Chris but the name on your bill is Christopher, you need to type Christopher when completing the online form.

By submitting the form, you agree that you have read and accepted how we process your personal data.

I am moving out of the borough

You will land on our 'Council Tax options' page - please select the 'I am moving out of the borough' option again.  

Tell us about your second property

You need to tell us if you have purchased or become responsible for a second property in Bedford Borough. This could be a second home that is furnished but is not used as a main residence, or job-related and provided for reasons of your employment. You can let us know using this online form.

Information you will need to complete the online form

You will need the following information to hand, so please make sure you have it ready before you start:

• Details of all the adults aged 18 years old or over who will be living at the property with you, including students.
• At least one contact telephone number.
• If you are renting a second property in the borough - you will need to tell us your tenancy start date, the date you are moving in and whether the property is furnished or unfurnished.
• If you are buying a second property in the borough - you will need to tell us whether it is freehold or leasehold, your completion date and the date you moved in / plan to move in.

By submitting the form, you agree that you have read and accepted how we process your personal data.

I have purchased / become responsible for a second property in the borough

You will land on our 'Council Tax options' page - on this page you will need to select the 'I am moving into the borough' option.