How-to guides
Step-by-step UK money how-to guides: bank switching, tax reclaims, Council Tax challenges, credit-report disputes, State Pension forecasts and more. Every step uses the free, official route.
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How to switch your bank account in the UK (7-day guarantee)
Use the free Current Account Switch Service (CASS) — your new bank handles the move in seven working days, redirects payments for at least three years, and refunds any charges caused by an error in the switch.
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How to claim Marriage Allowance in the UK
Marriage Allowance lets a non-taxpayer transfer £1,260 of their Personal Allowance to a basic-rate-paying spouse or civil partner, cutting their tax bill by up to £252 a year — and you can backdate up to four tax years.
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How to challenge your Council Tax band in England, Scotland and Wales
Compare your band against neighbours' bands and the 1991 (1 April 2003 in Wales) property valuation. If the evidence supports a change, submit a free formal challenge to the Valuation Office Agency (England and Wales) or the Scottish Assessors Association.
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How to dispute an error on your UK credit report
Get free statutory reports from all three UK credit reference agencies, identify the error, raise a 'Notice of Correction' or formal dispute with the agency, and complain to the Information Commissioner's Office if the lender refuses to fix it.
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How to reclaim overpaid tax from HMRC
Sign in to your HMRC personal tax account, check the tax summary for each year you may be owed, and claim a refund via the online service, an R40 form (savings interest) or P50 (stopped work). HMRC pays into your bank account; you can claim up to four tax years back.
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How to check your UK State Pension forecast
Use the free 'Check your State Pension forecast' service on gov.uk — it shows what you'll get, when, and how many qualifying years you still need. If you have gaps in your National Insurance record, the same service tells you whether topping up is worthwhile.
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How to open a Cash ISA in the UK
If you're 18 or over and a UK resident, you can open one or more Cash ISAs each tax year and pay in up to £20,000 across all your ISAs combined. Most providers let you open online in about 10 minutes.
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How to transfer an ISA between providers
Never withdraw the money — always ask the new provider to arrange an ISA transfer. Cash ISA transfers must complete within 15 working days; Stocks & Shares ISA transfers within 30 calendar days.
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How to set up a Direct Debit safely
A Direct Debit lets an organisation collect varying amounts from your account on agreed dates. Every Direct Debit is covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee — full and immediate refund of any payment taken in error.
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How to complain about a financial firm and escalate to the Ombudsman
Complain in writing to the firm first. They have 8 weeks to give a final response. If you're not satisfied, refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service within 6 months of the final response — it's free for consumers.
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How to report fraud or a scam in the UK
Tell your bank immediately by calling 159 (a trusted shortcut to your bank's fraud team), then report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040. In Scotland call Police Scotland on 101.
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How to apply for Universal Credit in the UK
Apply online at gov.uk/apply-universal-credit. The first payment normally arrives 5 weeks after the claim date — you can ask for an Advance to cover that gap, repaid from future payments.
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How to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the UK
SSP is £116.75 a week (2025/26; check live rate) paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks if you're off sick more than 3 days. You're entitled if you earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit (£123/week in 2025/26).
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How to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in the UK
Apply online at gov.uk/power-of-attorney or by paper LP1 forms. Registration with the Office of the Public Guardian costs £82 per LPA (2025/26; check live fee) and takes around 20 weeks.
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How to use Tell Us Once after a death
After registering a death, the registrar gives you a unique Tell Us Once reference. Use it within 28 days to notify HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office, local council and others in a single online process.
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How to find and consolidate old pension pots
Start with the free Pension Tracing Service to find old workplace and personal pensions. Compare charges, features and any benefits you'd lose before transferring. Use Pension Wise (free, government-backed) if you're 50+.
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How to apply for probate in England & Wales
Apply online at gov.uk/applying-for-probate after registering the death and valuing the estate. The Probate Registry fee is £300 if the estate is over £5,000 (with extra sealed copies at £1.50 each).
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How to claim Bereavement Support Payment
Claim within 3 months of the death to get the maximum payment. There are two rates (Higher if you receive Child Benefit; Standard otherwise). Apply at gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment.
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How to file a UK Self Assessment tax return online
Register for Self Assessment by 5 October after the tax year. File online by 31 January (paper by 31 October). Pay tax owed by 31 January, with payments on account by 31 July.
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How to trace a lost pension in the UK
Use the free Pension Tracing Service at gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details with your previous employers' names. The MoneyHelper Pensions Dashboards Programme aims to bring all your pensions into one online view.
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How to write a will in the UK
List who gets what, name executors and guardians, pick a drafting route (online from £90 via Swiftwill, DIY, solicitor or charity scheme), then sign in front of two adult witnesses who aren't beneficiaries.
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How to store your will safely in the UK
Store the signed original with your solicitor (usually free if they drafted it), deposit with HMCTS (£20 one-off), or register its location with the National Will Register (£25), and tell your executors where it is.
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How to choose an executor for your UK will
Pick 1–4 adults who are organised, likely to outlive you and willing to take on the role; consider a professional backup if the estate is complex; and tell them they've been named.
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How to update your UK will with a codicil
A codicil is a short amendment to an existing will, signed and witnessed in the same way as a full will (two adult witnesses, not beneficiaries). Use it for small changes; rewrite the will for anything substantial.
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How to make an advance decision (ADRT) — UK living will
Write down which specific treatments you would refuse in which circumstances, sign in front of a witness, and lodge a copy with your GP and on the NHS Summary Care Record. For life-sustaining treatment, the words 'even if my life is at risk' are required.
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How to sever a joint tenancy (England & Wales)
Serve a written notice of severance on the other owner, then apply to HM Land Registry on Form SEV with the notice and the fee. The title will then show a 'Form A restriction' confirming tenancy in common.