Discounted groups
The full council tax bill assumes that there are two adults
living in a dwelling. If only one adult lives in a dwelling (as
their main home), the council tax bill will be reduced by a quarter
(25%).
People in the following groups do not count towards the number
of adults resident in a dwelling:
- 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 severely mentally impaired
- people staying in certain hostels or night shelters
- 18-19 year olds who are at (or have just left) school
- care workers 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 non-payment of
Council Tax or a fine)
Normally a full time student is a person who is undertaking
a college or university course lasting at least one academic year,
and the course involves at least 21 hours of study per week,
however there are some exceptions to this rule.
If you think you may be entitled to a discount, you should
contact Liberata.
Changes from April 2013
From April 2013 some of the discounts are changing:-
The Council Tax discount on second homes has reduced from
10% to 0%
A Council Tax premium of up to 50% is applicable to houses empty
for more than two years
The Council Tax discount on houses empty for more than 6 months
has reduced from 50% to 0%
NB the Council Tax discount for properties subject to major
works, or structural alteration remains at 100% for up to 12
months; and the Council Tax discount for vacant properties up to 6
months will remain at 100%.
People with Disabilities
If you (or someone who lives with you) need a room, an extra
bathroom, kitchen, or extra space in your property to meet special
needs arising from a disability, you may be entitled to a reduced
council tax bill.
The bill may be reduced to that of a property in the band
immediately below the band shown on the valuation list.
These reductions ensure that disabled people do not pay more
tax on account of space needed because of a disability. Properties
in BAND A were also included from April 2000.
Exempt Dwellings
Some properties are exempt, including properties occupied only
by students and/or their non-British spouses, and vacant properties
which:-
- are unfurnished (exempt for up to six months)
- are owned by a charity (exempt for up to six months)
- require or are undergoing structural alteration or major repair
(exempt for up to six months after completion provided that the
total period does not exceed 12 months).
- are left empty by someone who has gone into prison, or who has
moved to receive personal care in a hospital or a home or
elsewhere
- are left empty by someone who has moved in order to provide
personal care to another person.
- are left empty by students
- are waiting for probate or letters of administration to be
granted (and for up to six months)
- have been repossessed
- are the responsibility of a bankrupt's trustee
- are empty because their occupation is forbidden by law
- are waiting to be occupied by a minister of religion
- are granny annexes
- are occupied by persons under 18
- are unoccupied caravan pitches or boat moorings
- are occupied solely by severely impaired people.