Council Tax discounts and exemptions

Who qualifies for a discount or exemption (no charges), including students and single people.

Contents

Empty property discount or exemption

A property must be unfurnished to qualify as empty.

If your property is empty, you may get 100% off your Council Tax bill for up to 1 month. This discount is valid from the date the property becomes empty. 

After this time, you'll be required to pay the monthly instalments as shown on your bill.

You can apply online for an empty property discount.

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While we process your application, you must continue paying your Council Tax. We can take action if you do not pay the full amount.

Situations when you do not need to pay Council Tax

Empty properties may be exempt from paying Council Tax if the property is empty because:

  • it is owned by a charity (exempt for up to 6 months)
  • the liable person is in prison or other place of detention, such as a hospital under the Mental Health Act
  • the liable person has gone to live in a hospital, nursing or residential care home
  • nobody is allowed to live there by law
  • it is waiting to be occupied by a minister of religion
  • the liable person is receiving care at another address that is not a hospital or care home
  • the liable person is caring for someone elsewhere
  • it has been repossessed
  • the liable person is bankrupt
  • it is an empty caravan pitch or boat mooring
  • it was last occupied by a student who was the owner

Death of an occupant

The property may also be exempt if the liable person is deceased and probate or letters of administration have not yet been granted. 

The exemption applies while waiting for probate or letters of administration to be granted and for up to 6 months after the grant.

Separate dwellings

Empty properties are exempt from Council Tax if they're:

  • separately banded dwellings which form part of another property
  • situated within the curtilage of another property and are not allowed to be let separately

For example, an annexe could not be let separately without a breach of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Properties which remain empty for 1 year and longer

If your property is empty for 1 year or more, you will be charged additional Council Tax – known as an empty home premium.

Properties which are second homes

If your property is a second home, you will be charged a Council Tax premium.