Council Tax exemptions
A number of types of dwelling are exempt from council tax. Exemptions fall into two main types, property based exemptions and person based exemptions.
Vacant properties that are exempt
You can apply for an exemption if your vacant property:
- is owned by a charity (exempt for up to 6 months)
- has been left empty by someone who has gone into prison
- has been left empty by someone who has moved to receive personal care in a hospital or home
- is waiting for probate or letters of administration to be granted (and for up to 6 months after)
- is empty because your occupation is forbidden by law
- is waiting to be occupied by a minister of religion
- has been left empty by someone who is living elsewhere to receive personal care
- has been left empty by someone who has moved to provide personal care to another person
- has been left empty by students
- has been repossessed
- is the responsibility of a bankrupt's trustee
- is at an Unoccupied Caravan Pitch or Boat Mooring
- cannot be let separately from another property
- is occupied by students
- is a hall of student residence
- is where a member of the household is severely mentally impaired
Occupied properties that are exempt
You can apply for an exemption if your property is:
- a student halls of residence
- occupied only by students who are taking a course of at least 21 hours per week for 24 weeks a year
- occupied only by persons who are severely mentally impaired
If you are registered as severely mentally impaired, a student, a student nurse, an apprentice or a youth training trainee, please sign in to your account to apply for an exemption.
Apply for a vacant property, student or disability exemption
Other property based exemptions
You can apply for an exemption if your property is:
- for armed forces accommodation
- occupied by visiting forces
- occupied only by persons under 18 years old
- occupied only by persons who are severely mentally impaired
- occupied by foreign diplomats
- occupied by an elderly or disabled relative (a relative living in a self-contained annex is entitled to a 50% reduction)
Apply for a property based exemption
When we receive your application we will amend your account. Before we apply any discount we may need to ask you to provide further information or evidence.
You must tell us if your circumstances change.
