Are members of religious communities disregarded for Council Tax?
A member of a religious community whose main work is prayer, contemplation, education or relief of suffering, and who has no personal income or capital, can be disregarded for Council Tax. The community typically provides their needs. You apply to your council with details of the community.
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Check what you're owed →This disregard recognises that members of certain religious communities, such as monks and nuns, live a shared life in which their material needs are met by the community rather than from personal earnings or savings. As they have no income or capital of their own, they are not counted as ordinary adult residents.
The conditions focus on the nature of the community and the individual: the person principal occupation must be religious in the recognised sense, they must depend on the community for their needs, and they must have no significant income or capital that is theirs personally.
Where several disregarded members share a property, the combined effect can be a substantial reduction or exemption rather than a simple discount. Because the rules are specific, it is worth confirming the position with the council and checking any other reliefs that apply to the property.
How to claim the religious community disregard
- Confirm the community. Establish that the community and the member occupation meet the recognised religious definition.
- Confirm no personal means. Check that the member has no significant income or capital of their own.
- Apply to the council. Submit the disregard application with details of the community and the member.
- Check the property position. Review whether a discount or exemption results and apply for any other relevant relief.
Frequently asked questions
- Who does this disregard apply to?
- Members of a religious community whose main occupation is prayer, contemplation, education or relief of suffering, and who have no personal income or capital.
- Why are they not counted?
- Because the community provides their needs and they have no income or capital of their own, they are not treated as ordinary adult residents for Council Tax.
- What if several members share a home?
- If everyone resident is disregarded, the property may attract a larger reduction or an exemption rather than just a discount.
- What evidence is needed?
- The council usually wants confirmation of the community, the member role within it, and that they have no personal income or capital.
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