Council Tax Discount

Description

The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are two adults (aged 18 years or over) living in a dwelling as their main home. The bill will not increase where more than two adults live in a dwelling.

If a dwelling is no-ones main home a 50% discount will apply and the Council Tax bill will be reduced by a half. This can apply to second and empty homes.

From 1 April 2004 discount on 'long term' empty homes ceased on properties which remain empty for more than 6 months and after that period they are charged the full 100% charge.

If only one person lives in a dwelling a single person discount will normally apply which will reduce the Council Tax bill by 25%.

When counting the number of adults living in a property, certain groups of people are not counted (they are disregarded), leaving just one person eligible to pay, this may reduce the Council Tax bill by 25%.

A person living alone may also be disregarded for the purposes of discount and may receive a 50% discount.

People disregarded for Council Tax discount purposes include:

• Full time students, student nurses, foreign language assistants, apprentices and youth training trainees
• Patients resident long termin hospital
• People being looked after in care homes including residential care homes, nursing homes and hostels providing a high level of care
• People who are severely mentally impaired
• People staying in certain hostels or night shelters.
• People under the age of 20 who are at or have just left school or college (after 30 April and not counted until 1 November of that year)
• People aged 18 for whom child benefit is payable
• People caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18
• Careworkers working for low pay, including Community Service Volunteers
• Members and dependants of visiting forces and certain international institutions.
• People who are normally resident at a property but who are in prison (except those in prison for non payment of Council Tax or a fine)
• A student's spouse or dependant who is not a British citizen and who by law may not take paid emplyment or claim benfits
• Members of religous communities who have no income or capital of their own and are dependant on the religous community to provide for their material needs
• Diplomats and members of international organisations headquartered in the UK, and their non-British spouses.

These groups are stated in broad terms and within each group certain conditions may need to be met before a disregard can apply. Some discounts may also attract a property exemption in certain circumstances.

Procedure

How to claim a discount

If you consider that you may qualify for a Council Tax discount please complete the appropriate form from the list below. Alternatively you can contact the Council Tax section . Completed forms should be returned to the Benefits and Taxation Division Council Tax section. If you disagree with the Council's decision about a discount, you can appeal in writing to the Council Tax Section explaining your reasons for disagreement

To find out who to contact about eligibility for a discount, or to request one of the application forms below see Council Tax - Enquiries

Help

For other information including:

- Our Contact Details

- Viewing your Account Details online

- Methods of Payment

- Opening Hours

click on Council Tax Enquiries

• For more information on types of discount click on the links at the top of the page

 

Application Forms

Forms are scanned onto computer to create electronic images. To enable the form to be easily read please complete it using dark blue or black ink.

Click on the following links to download an application form:

Council Tax Discounts - 16/17 year old residents Application form

Council Tax Discounts - Patients in Hospitals and Homes Application Form

Council Tax Discounts - Apprentice or Youth Trainee Application Form

Council Tax Discounts - Students/Student Nurses Application Form

Council Tax Discounts - Care Workers Application Form

Council Tax Discounts - Severe Mental Impairement Application Form

Council Tax Discounts - Prisoner Application Form

Council Tax Discounts - School and College Leavers Application Form

Council Tax Discounts - Disabled persons property relief Application Form

Council Tax - Sole or Main Residence Form

Changes in Circumstances

If a Council Tax bill indicates that a discount has been allowed, you must inform the Council Tax Section of any change of circumstances that affects your entitlement because if you fail to do so you could be required to pay a penalty.

How you can help

You can help by supplying accurate information, having your Council Tax number to hand when making your enquiry, completing the appropriate forms and supplying all supporting evidence requested.

 

Frequntly asked Questions

Q. Does everyone have to pay the full amount?
A. Many people do not have to pay the full Council Tax amount.

If you live alone, or qualify for a discount as you or someone else is in a certain group of people, your bill may be reduced.

You may be entitled to:

 A personal discount (see Council Tax Discount template).
 A reduction for people with disabilities (see Council Tax Disabled Relief template).
 An exemption (see Council Tax Exemptions template).

People on a low income can get Council Tax benefit which may mean they have nothing to pay at all (see Council Tax benefit template).

Q. I have moved out of my old house and it is empty and up for sale, am I still liable for Council Tax?
A. You are still liable until the property is sold. However, providing the property is vacant and unfurnished, you will be entitled to an exemption from Council Tax for up to six months. If the property has not been sold after six months you will become liable for a 100% charge until you sell the property.

Q. My partner is a member of the forces/works away and only comes home occasionally, can I get a discount?
A. No - this property will still be deemed as their sole/main residence because there is an intention to return to the property.

Q. I am a student. Am I eligible for a discount?
A. If you satisfy certain criteria you may be eligible for a discount or, if you are the only adult in the property, an exemption from Council Tax. You should complete a Student discount application form and supply the evidence requested on the form.

Q. My partner has left. Am I entitled to a reduction/discount?
A. If you are now the only adult in the property you will be eligible for a 25% discount from the day your partner left. You should notify the Council Tax section, in writing, of the exact date he/she left, together with their forwarding address to enable the discount to be granted.

Last modified on 16/9/2008