Council Tax Disparity Reveals Dramatic Borough Boundary Divide
Residents living on opposite sides of the same London street are experiencing dramatically different council tax bills, with one side paying nearly double the amount of their immediate neighbours. The situation on Hazelbourne Road in Clapham, south-west London, highlights how borough boundaries can create significant financial disparities for households living just metres apart.
The £1,000 Council Tax Gap
The street forms a precise dividing line between two London boroughs, with one side falling under Wandsworth Council's jurisdiction and the other belonging to Lambeth Council. This administrative boundary creates a striking financial contrast for residents living in comparable Band D properties.
Households on the Wandsworth side pay an average of £998 annually in council tax, while their neighbours directly opposite in Lambeth face bills nearly double that amount at £1,954 per year. This represents a difference of almost £1,000 for essentially identical street-facing properties.
Council Perspectives on Service Provision
Lambeth Councillor Judith Cavanagh defended her borough's approach, stating: "Lambeth has the 12th lowest council tax in the country and provides high quality services across our thriving borough." She highlighted several achievements including increased recycling rates, improved leisure services, free swimming for under-11s, and recognition for all secondary schools as 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted.
"We have planted 12,000 new trees over the last three years to help cut the risk of local flooding and improve air quality," Cavanagh added. "In recognition of our vision and ambition, Lambeth was also awarded borough of the year in late November at the NLA awards."
Criticism of Outdated Council Tax System
Andrew Dixon of campaign group Fairer Share criticised the current system, arguing: "Council tax now feels arbitrary because it largely is. Bills are still based on 1991 property values and can double across borough lines, with little connection to what residents receive."
This historical valuation method means that properties are taxed according to their estimated worth from over three decades ago, creating anomalies that bear little relation to current property values or service provision.
Practical Implications for Residents and Tenants
Salvatore Schembri from estate agents Hamptons noted the practical consequences: "From a tenant demand perspective, the Wandsworth council area tends to be more attractive. Lower council tax bands allow tenants to allocate a greater share of their budget to rent – which often strengthens demand."
Despite paying higher taxes, some Lambeth residents expressed satisfaction with their local services. One resident told reporters: "We have it a lot better in Lambeth. I don't know if that's just because we're using more services as we have children now, but even down to the rubbish collection, the bins on the Wandsworth side of the road are disgusting. The bins on our side of the road are done properly."
The resident added: "The street lights went out a couple of weeks ago and our councillor got it sorted straight away. He's fantastic – he's really responsive."
Broader Implications for Local Governance
This situation on Hazelbourne Road serves as a microcosm of wider issues within local government funding and council tax structures. The dramatic difference in bills for neighbouring properties raises questions about fairness, service provision consistency, and the need for council tax reform.
The disparity highlights how geographical accidents of borough boundaries can create significant financial inequalities, with residents paying vastly different amounts for what might appear to be similar local government services. As debates about local government funding continue, cases like Hazelbourne Road provide concrete examples of how current systems affect real households in their daily lives.
