Council tax - discount

Content

• Council Tax discounts
• Can I get a discount if I’m disabled?
• How do I claim a Council Tax discount?
• What should I do if am getting a discount but my circumstances have changed?
• What should I do if I think the discount on my bill is wrong?
• Contact details

Council Tax discounts

When we calculate the amount of Council Tax you pay us, we assume that two or more adults live in the property.

You can get a 25% discount if you are the only adult living in the property and a 10% discount if no-one lives there.

Some people are not counted in the number of adults living in the property:

• anyone under 18
• full time students, student nurses, apprentices and young people on Youth Training Schemes
• patients living in hospital or a care home
• people who are severely mentally impaired
• 18 and 19 year olds who are at school or have just left school
• care workers who are paid no more than £44 a week
• people caring for someone they live with who is disabled and not their partner or child
• people who belong to a religious community
• people in prison, unless they are in prison for not paying Council Tax or a fine, or detained elsewhere
• people staying in some hostels and night shelters
• members of visiting forces
• diplomats
• non-British spouse of a student or non-British dependant of a student

Your Council Tax bill will tell you if you are getting a discount. 

Can I get a discount if I’m disabled?

Your Council Tax can be reduced if a disabled person is living in the property. To get a reduction the property must have one of these:

• a room, that is used mainly by the disabled person and is required to meet their particular needs. For example, the treatment of an illness or condition.  A downstairs living or sitting room used also as a bedroom doesn’t count.
• an additional bathroom or kitchen needed to meet the needs of the disabled person. This needs to be a full bathroom not just an extra toilet.
• adaption for wheelchair access or use.

The reduction will be to charge as if the property was in the next lower valuation band. For example, if the property is actually in band B, we charge the tax as band A. If your property is already in band A, you can still get an equivalent reduction.

How do I claim a Council Tax discount?

You can claim a 25% single person discount using our online form.

For other types of discount we may need you to provide some proof of entitlement so please get in touch with us and we will help you with your claim.

What should I do if am getting a discount but my circumstances have changed?

You must tell us about the changes and we will tell you how it affects your discount.

For example, if you live alone you must tell us if another adult moves in with you.

What should I do if I think the discount on my bill is wrong?

If you think that the discount on your bill is wrong, you should tell us within 21 days and we will check.

Useful forms

• Council Tax - single person discount request form