Council tax discounts, band reductions and exemptions
Discounts
A full council tax bill assumes that there are at least two
people over 18 living in a property. However, there are instances
where you may be entitled to a council tax discount:
- If the property is empty or is a second home, you may be
entitled to up to a 50 per cent discount.
- If only one adult lives in the property your bill is reduced by
25 per cent.
It is possible to qualify for a discount where there are two or
more adult residents. Disregarded adults are classified as
follows:
- full time students, student nurses, apprentices and youth
training trainees
- patients resident in hospital
- people who are being looked after in care homes
- people who are mentally impaired
- people staying in certain hostels or night shelters
- 18 and 19 year olds who are at or who have just left school
after completing a qualifying course of education
- careworkers working for low pay, usually for charities
- people caring for someone with a disability who is not a
spouse, partner or child under 18
- members of visiting forces and certain international
institutions
- members of religious communities (monks and nuns)
- people in prison (except those in prison for the non-payment of
council tax or fines)
- spouses of students who are not of British citizenship and who
are prevented by the terms of their stay in the UK from taking paid
employment or from claiming benefit
- Diplomats and their non British spouse
If you think you may be entitled to a discount but it is not
shown on your bill, please contact us.
If you do receive a discount but your circumstances change, you
must tell us as this may affect your entitlement. If you do not
inform us of any changes you may have to pay a penalty.
Band reductions
If you or someone who lives with you is
disabled, you may qualify for a council tax reduction. This means
that if you are eligible, you will pay one band lower than the
current band for your property.
You are eligible for this reduction if the
property meets certain conditions.
- A disabled person is living in the property.
- The property contains a room (other than a kitchen, bathroom or
toilet) which is predominantly used by and meets the needs of the
disabled person.
- The property contains an additional kitchen or bathroom which
is needed to meet the needs of the disabled person.
- There is sufficient floor space in the property to accommodate
a wheelchair and the disabled person needs to use a wheelchair in
the property.
Please contact us for further information.
Exemptions
There are certain circumstances in which some properties may be
exempt from council tax. These include:
- Armed forces accommodation.
- Property occupied by people with severe mental impairment.
- Property occupied entirely by full time students.
- Property that is undergoing major repair work.
- Property occupied by people under 18.
The
Directgov website has a comprehensive guide to
council tax which includes further information about discounts
and exemptions.