Are you eligible for a discount or disregard
Council tax is based on the assumption that there are two adults resident in a property. However, in some circumstances, the amount you pay may be reduced if you qualify for a discount, discount disregard, exemption or disablement relief. The person responsible for paying the Council Tax bill can make a claim for a reduction in their bill.
Conditions - future changes of circumstance
Any change in circumstances which may affect any reduction awarded on your bill must be reported to the Council within 21 days of the event occurring. Failure to do so could result in a penalty being incurred and the Council bringing proceedings against you under the Fraud Act 2006.
Single person discount
In situations where there is only one adult (ie one person aged 18 or over) residing in the property, a discount of 25% may be awarded.
Discount disregards
Some people are ignored or disregarded when counting how many people are residing at a property. For example, adults who are full-time students or severely mentally impaired are not counted for council tax purposes. In situations where all occupants are disregarded, a discount of 50% may be granted, or even a full exemption of 100%, depending upon the individual circumstances.
Those persons who are disregarded for discount purposes are:
- Full time student
- People under 20 in full time education
- Persons in respect of whom child benefit is payable
- Carers
- Care worker
- Hospital inpatient
- Residing in a nursing or residential care home
- Members of religious communities
- People in detention
- Apprentices and youth trainees
- People staying in hostels or night shelters
- Members of visiting forces
- Diplomats
- Members of international headquarters and defence organisations
- Severely mentally impaired
- Foreign Language Assistants
- Non-British spouses of student
- Student nurses