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Personal discounts (including carer’s discount)

We calculate council tax as 50 per cent property tax and 50 per cent residential tax. The 50 per cent residential proportion is based on two adults (over the age of 18) living in the property.

If only one adult lives in a property, then the residential portion is reduced to 25 per cent – this reduction is known as single-person discount. Single person discount is not applicable to empty properties.  

If there are two or more adults in a property then no discount is allowed, however certain people can be disregarded when we calculate a council tax bill.

The following categories of people are usually not counted (or ‘disregarded’) for council tax:

  • Carer – those caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner or child under the age of 18
  • Detained/prison – those who normally live in the property but are currently in prison (except those in prison for non-payment of Council Tax or a fine).
  • Severe mental impairment – anyone who is severely mentally impaired
  • Students – full-time students (including Project 2000 nurses)
  • Apprentice – apprentices or Training Credits Programme trainees
  • School leaver – people who are under the age of 20 who have left school or college after 30 April (not counted until 1 November of that year)
  • Religious communities – members of religious communities (monks and nuns)
  • Child Benefit – people aged 18 for whom Child Benefit is still payable
  • Student nurse
  • Care Workers – those employed to provide care
  • Residents of certain dwellings – people staying in certain hostels and night shelters
  • Visiting forces –members of visiting forces and certain international institutions
  • Diplomats – diplomats, persons who have diplomatic immunity and certain members of their household.

Please use the link below to check on eligibility and start your application. It will take you to our online form, where you will find all the information you need about the qualifying criteria for council tax discounts. The form will guide you step-by-step through the process and help determine whether you may qualify.

You will usually get a 50 per cent discount if nobody living in your home, including you, is ‘counted’ for council tax

Carer’s Council Tax reductions 

The live-in Carer Council Tax discount, which means the Carer is disregarded for Council Tax purposes, is included on our online discount application form. The application form takes you through specific questions and covers all the discounts available – including the live-in Carer Council Tax discount.

To apply for a discount see the further information below (‘how to apply for a personal discount’) please see our application form. 

Further information on the live-in Carer Council Tax discount is also available on Carers UK website 

How to apply for a personal discount

To apply, and for further information, please see our application form.

If you are unsure about any council tax discount entitlement, we are here to help.  Please contact our Council Tax team using the details below if you would like a paper copy of any form, or if you need support, guidance or further information about discounts and reductions. We do not want anyone to miss out on reductions they may be entitled to, so please get in touch if you are unsure or would like assistance.

Important – tell us about a change of circumstances

If you receive a discount or exemption, but experience a change in circumstances that may affect your entitlement, then you must let our council tax team know immediately – please complete our change of circumstances form.

Important:

  • If you inform another council department, such as the elections team, rather than the council tax team, then this information cannot lawfully be shared with us and your change of circumstances will not dealt with.
  • Telling the DWP, Pension Service or HM Revenue & Customs of a change does not mean that we will be notified of the change. You must tell us directly.

Failure to provide this information to us within 21 days is a criminal offence and could lead to prosecution or a financial penalty being imposed.

Review of personal discounts

We review all single person discounts every two years.  If we do not receive confirmation from you that you are still a single occupier then your discount will be removed.

If you disagree with our decision

If you disagree with our decision about a discount, please contact us explaining what you object to and why – for further information please see Appeal against your council tax.