Council Tax is based on two adults being resident in the property.
If only one person is resident, they are entitled to a 25% discount. Please see Single Person Discount. If nobody is resident, and the property is furnished or used as a second/holiday home, the bill may be reduced to 90%.
A 50% discount may apply where a person is liable to pay Council Tax on a second home because he/she occupies another property due to a condition of their employment and for which they are also liable to pay Council Tax. Please ring the Council Tax office on 01507 329592 for further details on the job related discount.
Certain properties could be 100% exempt even if they are occupied (special conditions apply). Please see Exemptions. Certain people will not be counted when looking at the number of adults resident in a property if they meet certain conditions. These people are known as "disregarded for discount purposes".
Will I qualify?
The person responsible for paying the bill can make the claim. If all but one of the adults in the property fulfill the criteria in any one of the categories listed in the table below, the discount will be applicable.
Types of people who may be disregarded for discount purposes:-
Full Time Students Youth Training Trainees School/College Leavers Hospital Patients Religious Communities Persons still in receipt of Child Benefit Persons who are Severely Mentally Impaired Patients in Nursing and Care Homes Persons residing in Hostels Prisoners Carers Student Nurses Apprentices Diplomats Spouses of certain Students Members of International Headquarters and Defence Organisations
How much discount will I get?
If all but one of the adults are disregarded, the discount will be 25%.
For example; if there are 2 adults resident and one is disregarded, a 25% discount will apply. If there are 3 adults and one is disregarded, the charge will remain at 100%, as there are still 2 qualifying adults resident.
How long will the discount last?
The discount continues for as long as the qualifying criteria are met. You will be required to complete an annual review form.
Failure to notify a change in circumstances
If you are receiving a discount and your circumstances change so that you should no longer get the discount, you must notify the Council Tax office immediately. We can charge a penalty to anyone who fails to tell us about a relevant change in circumstances.
Click here to download an application form. Complete the relevant part of the form and return the completed form to the Council Tax office at the address stated at the top of the form.
