There are 4 main ways in which your Council Tax can be reduced,
based on the property or its occupants. These include:
Exemption
Exemptions can be awarded in certain
circumstances whether the property is occupied or unoccupied
If Exemptions do not apply,
check if you are eligible to apply for a Property Discount
instead?
- Occupied – Properties that are occupied solely by certain
groups of people.
- Unoccupied / Vacant - Unoccupied property that is no-one’s sole
or main residence for Council Tax purposes. The property can be
either furnished or unfurnished.
Discount
Discounts can be awarded in certain circumstances whether the
property is occupied or unoccupied
Before you apply for a
Property Discount, check if you are eligible to apply for a Council
Tax Exemption first?
- Occupied - The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are two
or more adults living in a property. If only one person (aged over
18) lives in a property the bill will be reduced by 25%. Also,
certain people will not be counted when looking at the number of
adults resident in a property (for example full-time students,
student nurses etc).
- Unoccupied - Properties that are no-one's main home or are used
as a second home may receive a Council Tax discount.
Disabled Reduction
If you, or anyone who lives in the property with you (adult or
child) are permanently and substantially disabled and has either; a
room mainly used by the disabled person, an additional kitchen or
bathroom adapted for their needs or uses a wheelchair indoors, you
may be entitled to a reduction in your
Council Tax.
Council Tax Benefit
If you or your partner is on a low income you should also visit
our Council Tax Benefit Section for
further information
Discounts / Exemptions will not normally be backdated for more
than 12 months unless there is good reason why it was not claimed
earlier. Claims over this period should be accompanied by a
Backdated
Discount & Exemption Claim Form (PDF, 28KB)
