Council services
Council Tax discounts
Certain people are not counted when looking at the number of adults resident in a property. These are:
- Full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and youth training trainees
- 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 or 19 year olds who are still at school, and those who leave school after March for the months up to November
- Careworkers working for low pay, usually for a charity
- People caring for someone with a disability or long term illness who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18
- Members of visiting forces and certain international institutions
- Members of religious communities – monks and nuns
- People in prison - except those in prison for non-payment of council tax or a fine
Second adult rebate
The following rules apply:
- Help if you share your home with one adult or more and their total income is low
- Help is only available if they are not your partner
Is the person, or people, who share your home:
- Aged 18 or over?
- Not paying your rent?
- On a low income?
If 'yes' to all - claim Second Adult Rebate
- You may be able to get Second Adult Rebate even if you do not normally get Council Tax Benefit
- If you already get Council Tax Benefit you will not need to claim Second Adult Rebate
- Second Adult Rebate will be based on the circumstances of the other adults
- Your income and savings will not affect Second adult Rebate
- If you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate we will pay you the one that gives you most money
Documents we will need
We will not ask for any details about your own income but you do need to provide your national insurance number and provide proof of your identity as you are making the claim.
We will ask for details of all income, including benefits, of the other adults that live with you. The amount of Second Adult Rebate that you get depends on their combined income.
It is paid as a fixed percentage reduction in your Council Tax: – 25%, - 15% or - 7.5%.
Contact us
If you are the only adult in the property or if you think you may be entitled to one of the discounts mentioned please contact us on 0118 974 6022 or 6598 or download the Council Tax - Discounts - Single occupancy form.
You must tell us if your circumstances change
If your bill shows that a discount is allowed, you must tell the Council of any change of circumstances, which affects your entitlement to that discount. If you fail to do so the Council can impose a financial penalty on you. The minimum penalty is £50.
