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Occupied Property Discounts

Contents

Single Person Discount

If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill. Please complete the council tax discount or exemption form‌ or contact us.

Some types of resident are not counted when determining the charge for the property. The following categories are disregarded, if you feel you qualify for a disregarded category please apply here or contact us.

Students (full-time)

The resident is taking a full-time course at a recognised educational establishment.

The course must:

  • last for at least one academic or calendar year
  • require the student to undertake study, tuition or work experience at a university or college, for at least 24 weeks per year
  • average at least 21 hours per week

When you apply, please provide a student certificate showing the details of the course.

Students (under 20)

The resident is under 20 years old and taking a course at a recognised education institution.

The course must:

  • last at least three calendar months
  • require at least 12 hours a week of course-relevant activities

It must not be:

  • a course of higher education
  • evening classes
  • correspondence courses
  • job-related training as part of employment

When you apply, please provide a student certificate or letter from the school or college to confirm the start and end date of the course and the hours of study.

Spouses, civil partners, or dependents of foreign students

The person must be a non-British spouse, civil partner, or dependent of a full-time student and prevented by the terms of their UK entry visa from taking paid employment or from claiming benefits.

When you apply, please provide a copy of their passport showing their entry visa.

Foreign language assistants

The person must be registered with the British Council as a foreign language assistant and working at a UK educational establishment. 

When you apply, please provide a copy of your passport and a letter from the educational establishment confirming your start and end date.

School and college leavers

The resident is:

  • 18 or 19-years-old
  • leaving school or college between 1st May and 31st October in any year

This disregard ends on 1st November of the same year they leave.

Apprentices

The resident is taking an apprenticeship which is working towards an accredited qualification, and receiving a salary or allowance totalling no more than £195 per week.

When you apply, please provide:

  • a copy of the apprenticeship agreement, or a signed copy of an agreement between the apprentice and employer
  • copies of wage slips

Severely mentally impaired

The resident is severely mentally impaired (this will need to be confirmed by a doctor). They must also be eligible for certain benefits.

When you apply, please provide proof the person is entitled to one of these qualifying state benefits:

  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Severe Disablement Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment - daily living component
  • the highest or middle-rate care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • an increase in Disablement Pension for constant attendance
  • the disability element of Working Tax Credit
  • Unemployability Supplement (abolished in 1987 but existing claimants remain entitled)
  • Constant Attendance Allowance payable under the Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Unemployability Allowance payable under the Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes
  • Income Support which includes a disability premium because of incapacity for work

Resident in a care home, hospital or nursing home

The resident has moved into a care home, hostel or independent hospital on a permanent basis to receive care or treatment.

Carers and careworkers

The resident is providing care to someone (not their spouse, partner, or their child under 18), who lives in the same property. The person receiving care must also be receiving certain benefits.

The care provided must be at least 35 hours a week on average.

When you apply, please provide proof of one of these benefits:

  • any rate of Attendance Allowance
  • an Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • an increased Disablement Pension
  • an increased Constant Attendance Allowance
  • the standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment

Where the carer is an employee, the person proving care must:

  • be providing care or support through a connection with the Crown, a charity, or a local authority
  • be employed for at least 24 hours a week
  • be paid no more than £44.00 per week or less
  • be resident where the care is given, or in premises which have been provided for the better provision of care

Receiving Child Benefit

The resident is 18 or over, but still receives Child Benefit.

When you apply, please provide proof the person is still receiving child benefit.

In detention

The resident has been detained in prison, in hospital or other place where they are detained for safety.

We will need to see proof of their detainment, but we will request it ourselves from the place of detention, once we have your completed form.

 

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Related documents

 

Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions