Council Tax discounts 

There are several reasons why you might qualify for a discount on your Council Tax bill. 

Single person discount 

You can claim a single person discount if you are the only person over 18 who lives in your home.

Disregard discount

You may qualify for a discount if either all or all but one of the residents are disregarded. You will need to complete the discount disregard application form to apply.

Categories of people who may qualify to be disregarded include:

  • Persons detained in prison or under the Mental Health Act
  • People who are severely mentally impaired 
  • Young people for whom child benefit is payable
  • Most full time students
  • Apprentices
  • Youth training trainee
  • Student nurses
  • Foreign language assistants
  • 18/19 year olds who left school between 30 April and 1 November
  • Patients in a hospital, nursing home or care home or mental nursing home
  • Care workers on low pay engaged by a Charity
  • Residents of hostels or night shelters
  • Member of International Headquarter and Defence Organisations
  • Members of certain religious communities
  • People who live and care for someone else
  • People under 18

The discount will normally be 25% but there are occasions when this could rise to 50%. For example, if all the residents of a property are disregarded.

If all residents are full-time students or severely mentally impaired, the property will be exempt. 

Unoccupied properties

If your property is empty and unfurnished you may be entitled to a 100% discount for up to one month. You will have to pay full Council Tax at the expiry of this period. 

If a property remains empty for two years or more owners will have a premium of 50% added to their bill.

If a property is undergoing or requires major repairs or structural alterations, you may be entitled to a 50% discount for up to 12 months. You will have to pay full Council Tax at the expiry of this period. 

There are circumstances when an unoccupied property would be exempt from Council Tax. 

Annexes 

From April 2014 if there is a dwelling that forms part of a single property that is being used by you as part of your sole or main residence or is the sole or main residence of a relative, you may be entitled to a 50% discount on that dwelling. 

To apply please email council.tax@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk for an application form.

Disabled band reduction 

Your Council Tax can be reduced by the equivalent on one band if a disabled person lives at the property. 

Certain criteria must be met which includes either:

  • Using a wheelchair indoors
  • Having an extra room to meet the needs of the disabled person

More information on disabled band reduction can be found here.