Council tax reductions for unoccupied properties

In some situations you can get a Council Tax reduction for an unoccupied property. But in most circumstances, you must pay Council Tax even when a property is unoccupied.

Where a property has been empty for 2 years or more, you must normally pay a premium charge.

Types of unoccupied property reductions

Where we can give a reduction, the reductions can be up to 100%. Apply for a reduction if you think you qualify and then keep paying until we confirm the reduction. Don't just stop paying.

You can check if you are eligible for an unoccupied property reduction using the Council Tax reduction form:

Information about the reductions available along with details of any evidence you may be required to supply can be found by clicking on the reduction titles below.

Landlord discount - property available on the rental market

Landlords with an unoccupied and unfurnished property available to let on the rental market can claim a 100% Council Tax reduction for up to 4 weeks.

When landlords or managing agents report a change of tenancy we apply the appropriate discount automatically.

Property owned by a charity for charitable purposes

You don't pay Council Tax for up to 6 months if both the following apply to the empty property:

it is owned by a charity and its most recent use was for charitable purposes
it has been previously occupied (for example, it is not a new build)

A Council Tax payer who lived alone has died

You can claim a 100% reduction for a period after a person who lived alone in a property that they owned or rented dies.

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is living elsewhere to give or receive care

There might be a 100% Council Tax reduction if no-one is living in a property and one of the following applies to the person who usually lives there:

they are living elsewhere to receive care
they are living in a nursing home permanently
they are living elsewhere to care for someone

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is a full time student living somewhere else

There might be a 100% Council Tax reduction if no-one is living in a property and the owner or tenant who usually lives there is a full-time student living somewhere else.

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is detained elsewhere

There might be a 100% Council Tax reduction if no-one is living in a property and the person who usually lives there is one of the following:

in prison
detained for mental health reasons
detained under immigration law

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is a trustee in a bankruptcy

There might be a 100% Council Tax reduction if no-one is living in a property and the owner or tenant who usually lives there is a trustee in a bankruptcy.

Property repossessed by a mortgage lender

You don't pay Council Tax if the property has been repossessed by a mortgage lender.

An empty caravan-pitch or boat-mooring

You don't pay Council Tax on a caravan-pitch with no caravan or a boat-mooring with no boat.

Occupation of the property is prohibited by law

You don't pay Council Tax when no one is allowed by law to live in the property - for example, because of planning restrictions.

Property is an unoccupied annexe

You don't pay Council Tax when the property is an empty annexe that can't be let separately from the main home due to a planning restriction.

Property is held for a minister of religion

You don't pay Council Tax on the empty property if a minister of religion is going to move in.

Property held as living accommodation for UK armed forces

Property held as living accommodation for UK armed forces and owned by the Secretary of State for defence can get a reduction of 100% so there is no Council Tax to pay. The reduction applies whether the property is occupied or not.

What happens after you apply for a Council Tax reduction

We'll get back to you to tell you whether or not you can get a reduction. This can take up to 20 working days. It might take longer if we have to visit the property or need more information.

Reductions will show on your bill as being for the whole year even when they are only for a fixed time period. We will send you a new bill when the reduction is coming to an end. If you think you should keep getting the reduction, you will need to apply again.

Backdating reductions

You can ask us to backdate a reduction. We might ask for further information from you to help us decide how far we can backdate the reduction. We don't normally backdate for more than 6 years from the date the claim is received.

If someone else is helping you sort out your Council Tax

You can give us permission to talk to someone who is helping you sort out your Council Tax by signing our authority to disclose form.

Contact Council Tax

Call the Council Tax Customer Service Team on 0300 123 5013 during office hours, 8.30am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, if you're unable to use our forms.

Council Tax reductions for unoccupied properties

Types of unoccupied property reductions

The property is available on the rental market

Property is owned by a charity for charitable purposes

A Council Tax payer who lived alone has died

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is living elsewhere to give or receive care

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is a full time student living somewhere else>

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is detained elsewhere

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is a trustee in a bankruptcy

Property repossessed by a mortgage lender

An empty caravan-pitch or boat-mooring

Occupation of the property is prohibited by law

Property is an unoccupied annexe

Property is held for a minister of religion

Property held as living accommodation for UK armed forces

What happens after you apply for a Council Tax reduction

Backdating reductions

If someone else is helping you sort out your Council Tax

Contact Council Tax

Council Tax reductions for unoccupied properties

Types of unoccupied property reductions

The property is available on the rental market

Property is owned by a charity for charitable purposes

A Council Tax payer who lived alone has died

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is living elsewhere to give or receive care

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is a full time student living somewhere else>

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is detained elsewhere

The owner or tenant who usually lives in the property is a trustee in a bankruptcy

Property repossessed by a mortgage lender

An empty caravan-pitch or boat-mooring

Occupation of the property is prohibited by law

Property is an unoccupied annexe

Property is held for a minister of religion

Property held as living accommodation for UK armed forces

What happens after you apply for a Council Tax reduction

Backdating reductions

If someone else is helping you sort out your Council Tax

Contact Council Tax

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