Is a person in prison disregarded for Council Tax?
A person detained in prison is generally disregarded for Council Tax, with limited exceptions, which can reduce the bill for the home they have left. If one other adult remains, a single adult discount may apply. You tell the council and provide evidence of the detention.
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Check what you're owed →When someone is detained in prison, they are normally not counted as an adult resident at their home for Council Tax. The main exception is detention for not paying a fine or, in some cases, for not paying Council Tax itself, where the disregard does not apply.
The practical effect depends on who is left at the property. If one other adult remains, the household often moves to a single adult discount, because only one countable adult is left. If the detained person lived alone and the home is now empty, a different empty-property treatment may apply.
Because these situations can be sensitive and the rules have exceptions, it is worth contacting the council with the facts and the dates. It is also sensible to review whether the remaining household qualifies for other discounts, reductions or support during the period of detention.
How to claim the disregard for a detained person
- Confirm the detention type. Check the detention is not for non-payment of a fine or Council Tax, which is excluded.
- Gather evidence and dates. Obtain confirmation of the detention and the start date for the council.
- Tell the council. Report the detention and ask for the disregard and any resulting discount.
- Check the household relief. Confirm whether a single adult discount or empty-property treatment applies.
Frequently asked questions
- Are all prisoners disregarded?
- Most are, but there are exceptions, notably detention for not paying a fine or Council Tax, where the disregard does not apply.
- What happens to the bill at home?
- If one other adult remains, a single adult discount often applies. If the home is left empty, empty-property rules apply instead.
- What evidence does the council need?
- Usually confirmation of the detention and the dates, so the council can apply the disregard for the correct period.
- Can it be backdated?
- Often the disregard can be applied from the start of the detention, so report it with the dates even if some time has passed.
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