You can get money off your Council Tax bill, or even pay nothing, in certain circumstances.
Discounts and exemptions
A discount or exemption depends on your current situation and circumstances, but does not take account of income or savings. If you are on a low income, you may also be able to get help to pay your bill through Council Tax Reduction. We will need to assess your financial and other circumstances to see what help you qualify for.
There are also some properties that are exempt from Council Tax
This section provides further information on the types of discount available, including:
Person aged 18 and eligible for child benefit discount
Patient in care home or hospital discount or exemption
Severe mental impairment discount
Person in detention or prison discount
You may be able to have other reductions on your Council Tax bill as follows:
Ministry of Defence’s Council Tax Relief
Job related second home discount
If you are having difficulty paying your Council Tax, regardless of whether or not you receive Council Tax Reduction, the council may be able to reduce the amount you have to pay.
How Council Tax discounts work
Your Council Tax is made up of two parts. Half for the property (50 percent) and half based on two adults over the age of 18 living in the property (50 percent).
If only one person lives at a property they can get their Council Tax reduced by 25 percent (1 quarter)
If two people live at a property they will be charged the full rate of Council Tax
If three people live at a property they will be charged the same – the full rate of Council Tax
If one person is eligible for a discount
If some of those people are eligible for discounts, they can apply to get money off their Council Tax. In these examples we talk about student discounts.
If only one person lives at a property and they are a student they will not have to pay any Council Tax
If two people live at a property and one of them is a student, they will get 25 percent off their Council Tax bill
If three people live at a property and one of them is a student, they will be charged the full rate of Council Tax
If more than one person is eligible for a discount
If three people live at a property and two of them are students, they will get 25 percent off their Council Tax
If three people live at a property and they are all students, they will not have to pay any Council Tax
You get 25 percent off your Council Tax bill if:
- You live on your own or
- You live with other people but they are all under 18
Apply or cancel single person discount online
If you cannot apply online you will need to download an application to complete. You can email the completed form to at counciltax@herefordshire.gov.uk
If you live with other people who are aged 18 or over you may be able to get money off your Council Tax bill in other ways.
Changes in your circumstances
We have a duty to ensure our Council Tax records are accurate and reflect the current situation so we review all single person discounts each year. As part of the annual review of discounts, Council Tax data is matched with other records including credit reference agencies to confirm if your situation has changed.
You must inform us of any change to your circumstances within 21 days or you may have to pay a £70 penalty.
Partner in armed forces or works away
If your partner is a member of the armed forces or works away and only comes home occasionally you cannot claim single person discount. Your home is still treated as your partner’s main and sole residence for Council Tax purposes as there is an intention to return to the property as part of the family unit.
Friend staying
If you have a friend staying for a short period, providing your friend has a main residence elsewhere, they will not be considered part of your household and therefore you are still entitled to single person discount.
Child aged 18 and studying at college
The effect on your single person discount will depend on where your child is living. If they live in a hall of residence then you will still be entitled to your single person discount but if they continue to live with you, you will not be entitled to it. You may, however, be entitled to a student discount.
Two homes
If you have two homes you cannot apply for single person discount on both. You can only apply for the property which is your main home and providing you are the only adult living there.
More Details on exemptions – Council Tax discounts and exemptions – Herefordshire Council
