There are various ways in which you can reduce your Council Tax bill. Your bill will tell you of any reduction or exemption you have already been given. You must inform the council of any change in your circumstances that might affect your entitlement.

If you think you may be entitled to any reduction or an exemption please telephone 01983 823901 for further information and to request an application form.

If your property is no-one's main home certain discounts can apply. A property will count as someone’s main home if it is furnished and it is the only property owned, however if you are contracted to live elsewhere then a reduction may apply.

If you do not permanently live in the UK, or have moved abroad, you may not qualify for a discount, as the empty property may count as your main home in the UK.

If the property is furnished and unoccupied after your tenants have moved out, please confirm the date they vacated and give any new address you may have for them.

If you are a company, you must tell us your company name and registered address. There is no discount if the property is unoccupied and unfurnished; however you could qualify for a period of exemption from Council Tax.

Some people are disregarded from Council Tax if they meet certain conditions and the following discounts may apply:

Examples of people disregarded from Council Tax are:

For further information and to request an application form telephone 01983 823901.

This gave councils new powers to create their own discounts and exemptions, including powers to grant relief on a case by case basis of between 1% & 100%. Any discount given has to be met by the council.

The Council has the power to agree discounts but is not obliged to do so as Council Tax is a tax related to property and not directly to the provision of any specific services. It is not appropriate therefore, to relate the cessation, reduction or non provision of any specific services or facilities to the payment of Council Tax.

Any specific application for discount is referred to the Cabinet Member for the resources, under their delegated authority, and decision is made on the merits of the case.

If your property qualifies as exempt from Council Tax, you will receive an exemption notice telling you the reason for the exemption and the assumed period that the exemption applies for. A property may be exempt from council tax, usually if it is unoccupied, but also in some cases where all the occupiers are disregarded. Properties that are exempt from Council Tax fall into one or other of the following classes:

A The property is unoccupied, substantially unfurnished, and either uninhabitable or undergoing major structural repairs. Exempt for up to 12 months.
B The property is unoccupied and owned by a charity. Exempt for up to six months.
C The property is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished. Exempt for up to six months.
D The property is unoccupied because the person responsible for Council Tax is in prison (except for non-payment of fines or local taxes).
E The property is unoccupied because the person responsible for Council Tax is now living in a hospital, residential care home or nursing home.
F The property is unoccupied following the death of the person responsible for the council tax. Exemption continues for up to six months after probate or letters of administration are granted.
G An empty property where occupation is prohibited by law.
H An unoccupied property being held for a minister of religion.
I The property is unoccupied because the person responsible for Council Tax is living elsewhere to receive care.
J The property is unoccupied because the person responsible for Council Tax is living elsewhere to provide care.
K The property is unoccupied because the person responsible for Council Tax is a student living elsewhere to study.
L An unoccupied property repossessed by a mortgage lender.
M The property is a student's hall of residence.
N The property is only lived in by full-time students.
O The property is only lived in by UK armed forces.
P The property is only lived in by visiting service personnel.
Q The property is left unoccupied by a trustee in bankruptcy.
R The property is an empty caravan pitch or boat mooring.
S The property is only lived in by people aged under 18. This applies from 1 April 1995 onwards.
T The property is an unoccupied annexe of another property that may not be let or occupied separately due to planning restrictions. This applies from 1 April 1995 onwards.
U The property is only lived in by severely mentally impaired people. This applies from 1 April 1995 onwards. From 1 April 2000 onwards, this exemption class also applies to properties occupied both by severely mentally impaired people and full-time students.
V The property is lived in by at least one foreign diplomat or specified member of an international organisation. This applies from 1 April 1997 onwards.
W The property is an occupied annexe of another property and is used by a dependent relative of the person responsible for Council Tax, sometimes known as a 'granny annexe'. This applies from 1 April 1997 onwards.

For further information and advice contact the Council Tax office, telephone 01983 823901.