Council Tax help
Millions of households pay more Council Tax than they need to. These guides cover the discounts, exemptions and reductions you may be entitled to and exactly how to claim them.
Check what you're owed →- Do I get a Council Tax discount if I live alone?If you are the only adult in your home you can claim the single person Council Tax discount. Here is who qualifies and how to apply to your council.
- Can I get help with Council Tax on a low income?Council Tax Reduction can cut your bill if you are on a low income or benefits. Learn who qualifies and how to apply to your local council scheme.
- Can pensioners on Pension Credit get Council Tax help?Pensioners receiving Pension Credit can often get help with Council Tax. Learn how the guarantee credit works and how to apply to your council.
- Is there a Council Tax discount for severe mental impairment?People medically certified as severely mentally impaired are disregarded for Council Tax. Learn who qualifies and how to claim the SMI discount.
- Are full-time students disregarded for Council Tax?Full-time students are disregarded for Council Tax and may not have to pay. Learn how the student disregard works and how to prove your status.
- Is an all-student house exempt from Council Tax?A property lived in only by full-time students is exempt from Council Tax under Class N. Learn how the all-student exemption works and how to claim it.
- What is the Disabled Band Reduction scheme?If your home has features for a disabled resident, the Disabled Band Reduction scheme can lower your Council Tax band. See who qualifies and how to apply.
- Do live-in carers get a Council Tax discount?A live-in carer can be disregarded for Council Tax, reducing the household bill. Learn the conditions a carer must meet and how to apply.
- Are apprentices disregarded for Council Tax?Apprentices on low pay working towards a recognised qualification can be disregarded for Council Tax. Learn the conditions and how to claim a discount.
- Do care leavers get help with Council Tax?Many councils exempt or reduce Council Tax for young care leavers. Learn how care leaver schemes work and how to ask your council for support.
- Is there a Council Tax discount for an annexe?A self-contained annexe used by family can attract a Council Tax discount or exemption. Learn how the annexe rules work and how to claim them.
- Do I pay Council Tax on an empty property?Empty homes may get a short discount but can also face premiums if left empty long term. Learn how empty property Council Tax works and how to manage it.
- How much Council Tax do I pay on a second home?Second homes are usually charged full Council Tax and may face a premium. Learn how second home Council Tax works and the limited reductions available.
- Do I pay Council Tax on an uninhabitable property?A property that is genuinely uninhabitable or undergoing major works may get a Council Tax reduction. See how the rules apply and how to ask your council.
- How do I challenge my Council Tax band if it is too high?If your Council Tax band looks too high you can ask the VOA to review it. Learn how to challenge your band, the evidence needed, and the risks.
- How do I check my Council Tax band and my neighbours?You can check your own Council Tax band and compare it with neighbours for free online. Learn how to look up bands and spot a possible error.
- Can I get a backdated Council Tax refund?If a discount, exemption or band correction applies for past years, you may get a backdated Council Tax refund. See how backdating works and how to claim.
- Can I get a Council Tax refund after moving home?Moving home often leaves you with overpaid Council Tax to reclaim. Learn how to close your old account and get a refund of any credit owed.
- Is Council Tax payable on the home of someone who has died?A home left empty after the owner dies is exempt from Council Tax under Class F while probate is sorted. Learn how the exemption works and how to claim it.
- How does Council Tax work for armed forces personnel?Service personnel may get help with Council Tax through accommodation rules and the armed forces allowance. Learn how it works and where to check.
- Do I pay Council Tax while in hospital long term?A long hospital stay can affect Council Tax, with disregards or exemptions in some cases. Learn how being in hospital long term changes your bill.
- What happens to Council Tax when someone moves into a care home?When someone moves permanently into a care home, their old home can be exempt from Council Tax. Learn how the care home exemption and disregards work.
- Is there Council Tax help for people with dementia?Dementia can qualify a person for the severe mental impairment disregard, cutting Council Tax. Learn how the SMI route works for dementia and how to claim.
- Can I claim a Council Tax discount if I live alone with my children?A parent living only with under-18 children counts as the only adult and can claim the single person Council Tax discount. Learn how to apply.
- Does taking a lodger affect my single person Council Tax discount?Taking a lodger usually ends your single person Council Tax discount, but there are exceptions. Learn when a lodger counts and what to tell your council.
- What is a Section 13A discretionary Council Tax reduction?Section 13A lets councils reduce or wipe a Council Tax bill in cases of hardship. Learn how the discretionary reduction works and how to ask for it.
- Can a council hardship fund help with Council Tax?Councils run hardship funds that can help with Council Tax and related costs in a crisis. Learn what hardship support exists and how to ask for it.
- What should I do if I have fallen behind on Council Tax?Falling behind on Council Tax is serious but fixable. Learn the practical steps to take, how to deal with the council, and where to get free debt help.
- How do I set up a Council Tax payment plan?You can arrange a Council Tax payment plan to make instalments manageable. Learn how to agree a plan with your council and what to do if you fall behind.
- Can I pay Council Tax over 12 months instead of 10?You have the right to pay Council Tax over 12 monthly instalments instead of the default 10. Learn how switching reduces each payment and how to ask.
- What is Second Adult Rebate on Council Tax?Second Adult Rebate can help if you share your home with a low-income adult who is not your partner. Learn who qualifies and how to claim it.
- Are paid carers on low pay disregarded for Council Tax?Care workers on low pay who live where they work can be disregarded for Council Tax. Learn the conditions for the paid carer disregard and how to claim.
- Are members of religious communities disregarded for Council Tax?Members of a religious community with no income or capital of their own can be disregarded for Council Tax. Learn the conditions and how to claim.
- Is a person in prison disregarded for Council Tax?Most people detained in prison are disregarded for Council Tax, which can reduce the household bill. Learn the rules and how to apply for the discount.
- Are under-18s counted for Council Tax?Anyone under 18 is not counted for Council Tax, which can give households a discount. Learn how the under-18 rule works and what it means for your bill.
- Are 18 and 19 year old school leavers disregarded for Council Tax?School and college leavers aged 18 or 19 can be disregarded for Council Tax for a set period. Learn how the school leaver disregard works and how to claim.
- Are youth trainees disregarded for Council Tax?Young people on certain approved training schemes can be disregarded for Council Tax. Learn how the youth trainee disregard works and how to claim it.
- How long is a home exempt from Council Tax after a death?The Class F exemption frees a deceased person empty home from Council Tax through probate and beyond. Learn how long it lasts and when it ends.
- Is there a Council Tax discount for a job-related second home?If you must keep a second home for your job, you may get a Council Tax discount. Learn how the job-related dwelling discount works and how to claim it.
- Is an annexe lived in by a dependent relative exempt from Council Tax?An annexe occupied by a dependent elderly or disabled relative can be exempt from Council Tax. Learn how this exemption works and how to claim it.
- Can I get a Council Tax discount during major repairs?A home undergoing major structural repair may qualify for a Council Tax discount or relief in some areas. Learn how it works and how to ask your council.
- Do I pay Council Tax if my home has been flooded?If flooding makes your home uninhabitable, you may get Council Tax relief while you cannot live there. Learn what help exists and how to ask your council.
- When do I start paying Council Tax on a new build?A new build attracts Council Tax once it is complete, set by a completion notice. Learn how completion notices work and when the charge begins.
- Should my holiday let pay Council Tax or business rates?A genuine holiday let available to let for enough of the year may move from Council Tax to business rates. Learn how the rules work and how to check.
- Can I get a Council Tax reduction for a disabled child?A home adapted for a disabled child may qualify for the Disabled Band Reduction. Learn how the scheme applies to children and how to claim it.
- Can I claim Council Tax Reduction while on Universal Credit?Universal Credit does not include help with Council Tax, so you must claim Council Tax Reduction separately. Learn how and why to apply to your council.
- Can pensioners get their whole Council Tax bill covered?Pensioners on a low income can sometimes get their entire Council Tax bill covered by Council Tax Reduction. Learn who qualifies and how to apply.
- Who is exempt from Council Tax?Some people and properties are exempt from Council Tax altogether. Learn the main exempt groups and exempt property classes and how to claim them.
- How do I appeal a Council Tax decision?If you disagree with a Council Tax decision on liability, a discount or a reduction, you can appeal. Learn the steps, time limits and where to go next.
- How do I claim back overpaid Council Tax?If you have overpaid Council Tax through a credit, missed discount or band error, you can claim it back. Learn how to identify and reclaim overpayments.