Council tax - discount

Discounts

The basic Council Tax bill assumes that two adults reside in a dwelling. If there are more than two resident adults the bill is not increased. However, if there are less than two adults the bill is reduced on the following basis:

• If there is one resident adult, 25% discount is given
• If there are no resident adults, 50% discount is given.

Certain groups of people may help the liable person to qualify for a discount.

The people in these groups are said to be “disregarded for discount purposes”. These groups are:

Disregarded Persons

• Full-time students, student nurses at colleges, apprentices and Youth Training trainees;
• Patients resident in hospital;
• Patients who are being looked after in care homes;
• People who are severely mentally impaired;
• People staying in certain hostels or night shelters;
• 18 and 19 year olds, who are at, or just left school;
• Care workers working on low pay for, or introduced by, charities or local authorities;
• People caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18 in receipt of certain qualifying benefits;
• Members of visiting forces and certain international institutions;
• Members of religious communities (monks and nuns);
• People in prison (except those in prison for non-payment of Council Tax or a Fine);
• Persons for whom child benefit is payable and are 18 years old or over;

If a dwelling is wholly occupied by disregarded persons, a 50% discount is given.

If a dwelling is occupied by disregarded persons and one further adult who is not disregarded, a 25% discount is given.

If a dwelling is occupied by disregarded persons and at least two other adults, who are not disregarded, no discount is given.

If you have been given a discount on your bill the Council will periodically send you a form to confirm whether it still applies. If you do not return the form your discount may be cancelled.

If your bill shows that a discount has been given, you must tell the Council of any changes that affect your entitlement, within 21 days of the change.

Forms for downloading

• Council Tax Information Form
  Fill this form in if you wish to apply for a discount
• Council Tax direct debit mandate
  Fill in this form if you wish to pay your Council Tax by direct debit