While you are waiting for our decision, you must continue to pay the instalments shown on your Council Tax bill.
You can apply for a council tax exemption if:
Everyone who lives in the property is under 18
The property is exempt from council tax until someone aged 18 or over moves in.
Someone responsible for council tax is a member of visiting armed forces
A property may be exempt if at least one person responsible for council tax is:
- a member of a visiting force (or their dependant); and
- not a British citizen or ordinarily resident in the UK.
Someone responsible for council tax has diplomatic privileges or immunity
A property may be exempt if at least one person responsible for paying council tax:
- has diplomatic privileges or immunity; and
- is not a permanent UK resident; and
- is not a British citizen, British subject or British protected person; and
- does not have another property in the UK as their main home.
This exemption only applies while these conditions continue to be met.
A dependent relative lives in an annexe or "granny flat"
An annexe or "granny flat" may be exempt if it is occupied by a dependent relative who is:
- aged 65 or over; or
- severely mentally impaired; or
- substantially and permanently disabled.
The exemption applies for as long as the dependent relative lives there.
You can also apply for an exemption if:
The property is armed forces accommodation
Armed forces accommodation is exempt from council tax whether it is occupied or unoccupied.
You should contact us about a council tax reduction if:
You are a school or college leaver
If you are under 20 and have recently left school or college, you may qualify for a council tax reduction.
Read about money off council tax for school and college leavers.
You are a foreign language assistant
If you are registered with the British Council as a foreign language assistant, you may qualify for a council tax reduction.
Read about money off council tax for foreign language assistants.