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Council Tax discounts

Council Tax is worked out by assuming two people, aged 18 or over, live in most properties.

Single person discount

If only one adult lives in a dwelling as his or her main home, the bill can be reduced by 25%.

Empty home discount

If no one lives in a dwelling as their main home the bill can be reduced by 50%. This can apply to empty dwellings and second homes.

Student discount

Full-time students attending a college or university, student nurses, foreign language assistants and foreign spouses or dependants of students.

Other discounts

Certain people aren't counted when looking at the number of adult residents in a property if they meet certain conditions. For example:

  • Apprentices, youth training trainees, people aged 18 if child benefit is payable and recent school and college leavers under 20;
  • People in prison (except those in prison for non-payment of Council Tax or a fine);
  • People who are severely mentally impaired;
  • Careworkers providing care on behalf of an official or charitable body; introduced by a charitable body;
  • People caring for someone with a disability who's not a spouse, partner or child under 18;
  • People in residential care homes, nursing homes and hostels providing a high level of care (application to be made by establishment);
  • Diplomats and members of international organisations headquartered in the UK and their non-British spouses; and
  • Members of religious communities (eg monks and nuns).

Conditions apply to each category noted above.

How to claim a Council Tax discount