Social Rented Housing: Council Tax
The question
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the HMT guidance entitled High Value Council Tax Surcharge published on 26 November 2025, for what reason social housing is exempt from the new council tax surcharge.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson
The High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) applies to the highest-value properties to make taxation fairer. It affects less than 1% of homes in England and ensures those with the broadest shoulders contribute their fair share towards funding local government services. The tax will only be paid by owners of homes worth over £2m.
Social housing is provided to support low-income and vulnerable groups, and therefore social landlords will be exempt.
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