If you have already been awarded a discount it will show on your bill.
The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are two adults (over the age of 18) living in a property. The bill does not increase if more than two adults are residents.
Applying for a discount
Single person discount
Adults who are not counted
Carers and Careworkers
Unoccupied properties
Second homes
Reductions for disabled people
Low income households
Second Adult Rebate
The 'Discount application form' can be found under the heading 'Downloads', available on the right hand side of this page.
The form contains information about what evidence needs to be provided for adults who are not counted.
The address to send the form to is shown under 'Contact information' on the right.
If you wish to request a form by post please contact us on 01204 331599
If you are the only adult living in your property your bill can be reduced by a quarter (25%).
(See 'Do it online' section at the top right hand side of this page - please note you must be registered)
Certain people are not counted for calculating council tax. Where only one adult is counted you are entitled to a 25% discount. Properties where none of the adults are counted are eligible for a 50% discount.
Examples of adults not counted:
- 18 year olds for whom child benefit is still being paid
- 18 or 19 year olds who leave school after 30th April will not be counted until 1st November of the same year
- Full-time students - this includes a student’s spouse or dependant who is not a British citizen, and who is prevented from taking paid employment or claiming benefits
- Student nurses
- People who have a severe mental impairment - in addition to the discount application form please complete an Application for people who have severe mental impairment which can be found under Links on the top right hand side of this page.
- Carers - people caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18 - see further information below
- Careworkers earning less than £44 a week, (usually working for charities) - see further information below
- Apprentices earning less than £195 each week
- People under 25 undertaking approved training funded by the Learning and Skills Council
- People who are being looked after in residential care homes; nursing homes (such as hospices); mental health nursing homes or hostels providing a high level of care
- Resident hospital patients
- People kept in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983
- People staying in certain hostels or night shelters (like the Salvation Army)
- Members of religious communities i.e. monks and nuns
- Diplomats and members of international organisations headquartered in the UK and their non British spouses
- People in prison (except those in prison for non-payment of council tax or a fine).
Carers
If you are a carer of someone who is not your partner, spouse or a child under 18 and you live in the same home as them then you won’t be counted.
You must care for the person for an average of 35 hours per week or more and the person you care for must be entitled to one of the following benefits:
- High rate attendance allowance
- Highest rate of the care component of a disability living allowance
- An increased rate of disablement pension
- An increase in a constant attendance allowance
More than one person living at the address can be classed as a carer for the person requiring care.
Proof of entitlement to the above benefits will be needed.
Careworkers
If you are a careworker you must be:
- providing care or support through a connection with the Crown, a charity or a local authority; and
- employed for a least 24 hours a week; and
- paid no more than £44 per week; and
- resident where the care is given or in premises which have been provided for the better performance of the work.
Unoccupied properties that are furnished are eligible for a 50% discount.
Unoccupied properties that are not furnished are fully exempt for the first six months and then are eligible for a 50% discount after that.
However, in certain circumstances there may be entitlement to a full exemption rather than a 50% discount. For further details about this go to the council tax - exemption page
To claim exemption for an empty property online, see the 'Do it online section' top right of this page - please note you must also be registered.
Please contact us on 01204 331599 to claim this discount. If you prefer to write to us or send us an email our contact information is at the top of this page on the right.
Furnished second homes, which includes holiday homes, are eligible for a 50% discount. To claim this you will need to provide evidence that you are counted for council tax purposes at your main home.
Please contact us on 01204 331599 to claim this discount. If you prefer to write to us or send us an email our contact information is at the top of this page on the right.
If your home is adapted or you have a disabled person living with you, you could be entitled to a reduction.
There is no age limit and the disabled person does not need to be the taxpayer.
To qualify:
A disabled person must live at the address for which a reduction is claimed.
The person with the disability does not have to be the Council Tax payer.
One of the following conditions must also apply:
- The disabled person uses a room, (not a bathroom, kitchen, toilet or garage) which is specifically for their needs
- Or there is a second bathroom or kitchen for the disabled person
- Or someone uses a wheelchair in the home
If the reduction applies, the Council Tax for the property is charged at the rate for the band below the actual Band of the property. So for instance if a property is in Band C, the bill will be the same as that for a Band B property. If the property is already in the lowest band, A, then a reduction of one 6th of the charge is given.
You can still qualify for other reductions such as Single Person Discount and Council Tax Benefit in addition to a Disabled Persons Reduction.
See 'Do it online' section at the top right hand side of this page - please note you must be registered.
Alternatively the disablement reduction form can be found under 'Downloads' also at the top right hand side of this page. Please contact us on 01204 331599 to request a form by post.
The 'Application for disablement reduction form' contains information about what evidence needs to be provided where someone uses a wheelchair in the home.
The address to send the form to is shown under 'Contact information' at the top right hand side of this page.
If you are on a low income you may qualify to pay less Council Tax and may get help to pay your rent. If you are on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance you may have nothing to pay.
Council Tax Benefit is means tested and may be paid in addition to any other discounts which you may be entitled to. Housing Benefit is also means tested and is designed to help with housing costs.
For more information about Council Tax benefit click on the link at the top right hand side of this page under the heading 'Links'.
If your income is too high to claim Council Tax Benefit there is another benefit available called Second Adult Rebate (2AR). If you have another adult living with you (not your partner) who is on a low income you may qualify for this benefit. This benefit is restricted to 25% of your total bill.
Please click on the link at the top right hand side of this page (under the heading 'Links') to get more information and check whether you're entitled to this benefit.