Discounts, Exemptions And Benefits Available On Council Tax Charges

Council Tax Discounts

Single Persons Discount: If your bill shows the full amount payable without a discount, the assumption is that there are at least two adults living at your property as their sole or main residence. However, if you live alone your bill should show a 25% discount, this is called a single persons discount.

If you are not currently in receipt of a single persons discount and think that you should be please complete the on-line Single Persons Discount Application form.

If your circumstances change and you are no longer the only adult living in the property you will need to complete a Single Persons Discount Cancellation form.

Empty Properties: From 1 April 2004 onwards, where a property is unfurnished and unoccupied there will be a discount of 10% on council tax once the six-month exemption for such properties is exhausted . Similarly there will be a 10% discount for furnished properties that are no-ones sole or main residence. If the liable person has left the property unoccupied because they need to live elsewhere due to their employment, it is possible to claim a discount of 50% but certain terms and conditions need to be met.

Changes from 1 April 2013

From 1 April 2013 onwards, where a property is unfurnished and unoccupied there will be no discount once an initial one month exemption period has expired.

There will be no discount for furnished properties that are no-one's sole or main residence (second homes).

Properties that have been empty for two years or more will be charged a council tax premium of 50% on top of a full bill.

If the liable person has left the property unoccupied because they need to live elsewhere due to their employment, it is possible to claim a discount of 50% but certain terms and conditions need to be met.

Adults Excluded: Some people will also get a discount because they, or the people who live with them, are not counted for council tax purposes.

They include:

• full-time students
• youth training trainees
• apprentices and some student nurses
• patients resident in hospital
• people who are being looked after in care homes
• severely mentally-impaired people
• people staying in certain hostels or night shelters
• 18 and 19 year olds who are at, or who have just left, school
• care workers on low pay, normally working for charities
• people caring for someone with a disability other than their partner or a child under 18
• members of visiting forces and some international institutions
• members of religious communities
• people who are in prison (unless they are in prison for not paying Council Tax or a fine)

For further information telephone our Council Tax Helpline on:
01628 683850 or council.tax@rbwm.gov.uk

People With Disabilities

You may be entitled to a reduction in your bill if your home has one of the following:

• a room which is predominantly used and required for meeting the needs of a disabled resident or
• an additional bathroom or kitchen required for meeting the needs of a disabled resident
• sufficient floor space to permit the use of a wheelchair required for meeting the needs of a disabled resident.

This reduction is calculated by charging your council tax on the valuation band below that which your home is in. It will be shown separately on your bill as a reduction.

Exemptions

You do not have to pay council tax on the following classes of property:

1. unoccupied and unfurnished property which needs, or is undergoing, major repairs or structural alterations. Exemption is for a maximum total of 12 months. (This exemption will no longer apply from 1 April 2013)
2. unoccupied property owned by a charity (up to six months)
3. unoccupied and unfurnished property (up to six months) (This exemption will no longer apply from 1 April 2013)
4. unoccupied property which was the home of someone who has gone into prison
5. unoccupied property which was the home of someone who has gone into a residential home or hospital to receive residential care
6. unoccupied property which is left empty by the deceased and waiting for probate or letters of administration to be granted (exemption lasts until probate is granted and for six months after this, while unoccupied)
7. unoccupied property where occupation is forbidden by law
8. unoccupied property which is awaiting occupation by a minister of religion
9. unoccupied property which was the home of someone who has moved into another residence (other than a residential home or hospital) to receive personal care
10. property left unoccupied by someone who has moved away to provide personal care for another person
11. unoccupied property where the owner is a full-time student who last lived in the property as their main home
12. unoccupied property which has been repossessed by a mortgage lender
13. student halls of residence
14. property occupied only by students
15. property owned by the Secretary of State for Defence for armed forces' accommodation
16. property occupied by visiting forces
17. unoccupied property where the person who is liable for the council tax is a trustee in bankruptcy
18. a pitch or mooring which is not occupied by a caravan or boat
19. a dwelling occupied only by persons under the age of 18
20. an unoccupied dwelling which is self-contained but forms part of another dwelling and cannot be let separately under planning control, eg annex for an elderly person
21. a dwelling occupied only by people who are severely mentally impaired
22. a dwelling occupied by someone entitled to diplomatic immunity
23. a dwelling which is self-contained but which forms part of another dwelling, eg an annex occupied by elderly or disabled relatives.

Changes from 1 April 2013

From 1 April 2013 there are major changes relating to some Council Tax exemptions.

Exempt Class A and Exempt Class C which both relate to empty properties will no longer exist.

On 1 April 2013 any properties that are still empty and qualify for an exemption under the current system will have the exemption removed and will receive a full Council Tax bill of 100%.

Local Exemptions

The Royal Borough has agreed that from 1 April 2004 there will be a 100% exemption from council tax for up to 12 months for any dwelling which has been rendered uninhabitable as a result of a natural disaster and which requires substantial building or remedial works to make it habitable again.

Council Tax Support

If you are of working age on a low income with less than £16,000 in savings, you could be entitled to up to 91.5% reduction.

If you are of pensionable age on a low income with less than £16,000 in savings, you could be entitled to up to 100% reduction.

For further information, telephone our Benefits Helpline on: 01628 683850 or e-mail: benefits@rbwm.gov.uk

We are pleased to help many Council Taxpayers in this way. Unfortunately, there are those who abuse the system. Tell us in confidence if you suspect anyone is claiming benefit they are not entitled to help us 'Beat the Cheat'

Call our free 'Beat the Cheat' line on 0500 353300.

Further Information

For further information telephone our Council Tax Helpline on:
01628 683850 or email: council.tax@rbwm.gov.uk

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