Council Tax

The Council Tax is collected by the Borough Council for it’s own purposes and those of Parish Councils. It is not a direct payment for services and is therefore payable whether or not those services are actually used.

The Council Tax is a property-based tax, with a personal element. The basis of the tax is that a property is occupied by two adult residents. In such a case, half the tax will relate to the property element and half to the personal element.

If there are more than two adult residents, the amount payable per property will stay the same. However, if there is only one resident, a discount of 25% will be allowed. This discount will also apply if all but one of the adult residents are not counted for the purposes of the Council Tax.

As occupier if you pay rent inclusive of Council tax , this arrangement may not be binding on the Council and you may still be legally liable to pay the Council tax bill in your name.

Your Council Tax helps to pay for services that the Council provides throughout the borough. These services include:

• Schools
• Roads
• Libraries
• Rubbish Collection
• Street lighting

If also pays for Oldham Council's contribution towards:

• The Police Service
• The Fire Service
• Public Transport
• Rubbish disposal

These pages are intended to give an outline of the Council Tax, so it should not be regarded as a complete guide to the law. For more information download a copy of the 2008/09 council tax booklet.

If you would like help or advice with regard to your Council Tax or Benefit please contact the Council Tax Customer Services section in the one stop shop, which is open from 8.40am to 5.00pm (Mon - Fri) on Level 4, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham. Telephone enquiries can be made on 0161 770 6622; 8.00am - 6.00pm Mon - Fri and 9.00am - 1.00pm Sat or e-mail council.tax@oldham.gov.uk.

For Council Tax and Benefit enquiries you can also visit:

East Oldham One Stop Shop - Holt Street
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9.00 am to 4.30 pm
Wednesday 10.00 am to 4.30 pm

Fact sheets

For further information on Council Tax please see our fact sheets on Council Tax and Payment of Council Tax.

Copyright © Oldham Council, All rights reserved. Legal information
Oldham Council, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UT.
Telephone 0161 770 3000