Other council tax discounts and exemptions

Family annexe discount

If your home has an annexe, the annexe may qualify for a 50% council tax discount if it is (one of the following):       

• occupied by a relative
• being used by someone who lives in the main home (which must be their sole or main residence)

Contact us to apply or talk about your eligibility.           

Annexe exemptions (100% discount)

You may not have to pay any council tax for your annexe if it is (one of the following):       

• occupied by a relative who is over 65, severely mentally impaired, or permanently and substantially disabled
• empty and cannot be rented out because of planning conditions

Apprentices

To qualify for an apprentice’s council tax discount you must be:       

• employed to learn a trade, business, or profession
• doing training that leads to an accredited qualification
• receiving a salary and/or allowance that is £195 or less per week, before deductions

Contact us to apply or talk about your eligibility.       

Youth training trainees

To qualify for a council tax discount you must:       

• be under 25 and receiving training through arrangements made under the Employment and Training Act 1973
• be doing training funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency

Contact us to apply or talk about your eligibility.           

There are council tax exemptions for:       

• UK armed forces accommodation
• visiting armed forces accommodation
• foreign diplomat accommodation

Contact us to apply or talk about your eligibility.           

Paid carers

You may be able to get a carer’s council tax discount if you are:       

• employed as a carer
• living in accommodation provided by the employer so that the care can be given
• employed to provide care for at least 24 hours a week
• paid no more than £44 a week

Find out more or apply by downloading the Carer discount claim form(PDF, 30KB) Opens PDF.       

Unpaid carers

You may be able to get an unpaid carer’s council tax discount if:       

• you are living with and caring for someone
• the person you care for must be entitled to certain benefits
• the person you care for must not be your spouse, partner or child under 18
• you must be providing care for at least 35 hours a week on average

Contact us to apply or talk about your eligibility.           

There is a council tax discount for people who have a condition that affects the brain. This can include dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or if they've had a stroke.       

You may qualify if:       

• a doctor has confirmed that you have a permanent condition that severely affects thinking and social functioning
• you are entitled to certain benefits

Find out more and apply using the SMI claim form (PDF, 87KB) Opens PDF.       

There is a council tax discount for people who have moved to be cared for in a hospital, care home or certain type of hostel.       

To apply and find out more, download the Care homes, hospitals or hostels claim form (PDF, 27KB) Opens PDF.       

If their home is now empty, they may be able to get a full exemption. There is also an exemption for people who have moved to get care in a place that’s not a care home or hospital. Find out more on our discounts for empty properties page.       

You may be able to get a discount or exemption if a person who normally lives at your address is (one of the following):       

• on remand or in prison (except if they're in prison for not paying council tax)
• being held in a hospital or other place on mental health grounds as a result of a court order
• being held under immigration law

Contact us to apply or talk about your eligibility.       

If you have a learning disability you may be able to get a council tax discount if:       

• a doctor has confirmed that you have a permanent condition that severely affects thinking and social functioning
• you are entitled to certain benefits

Find out more and apply using the SMI claim form (PDF, 127KB) Opens PDF.       

If you have a severe or chronic mental illness you may be able to claim a discount if:       

• a doctor has confirmed that you have a permanent condition that severely affects thinking and social functioning
• you are entitled to certain benefits

Apply for the discount using the SMI claim form (PDF, 127KB) Opens PDF.       

You may be able to claim a council tax discount if you are a member of a religious community. For example, if you are a monk or nun.       

Contact us to apply or talk about your eligibility.           

You may qualify for a council tax discount if you are employed as a student nurse and taking a course that will lead to registration.

Find out more or apply by downloading the Student nurse discount claim form (PDF, 106KB) Opens PDF.       

If you're not employed as a nurse, but taking a nursing degree or diploma course, you can apply for a standard student discount.       

All occupants under 18

If every person living in a property is under the age of 18, they may not need to pay any council tax. To claim this exemption, please contact us.       

18 and 19 year olds

People aged 18 and 19 may be able to claim a discount on their council tax if:       

• they are enrolled on a further education course for more than three months, and studying for more than twelve hours per week
• their parent or guardian is entitled to claim Child Benefit External link for them (or would be if the young person was not in local authority care)

If you claim this discount and then leave school or college after 30 April, there is a further discount for the period between the end of your course and the following 1 November (even if you start work during this time). This discount is usually granted automatically. If you think you should have been granted it but haven't, please contact us.       

For further information and to apply, please download the Young person discount claim form(PDF, 29KB) Opens PDF.