Should you be paying council tax at all?

We do not charge council tax for some homes. For example, if the property is empty or the property is only occupied by certain people.

We do not charge council tax if the property is empty and:

• it is unfurnished apart from fixtures (for up to 6 months)
• it cannot be lived in or is undergoing major structural work (for up to 12 months)
• it is owned by a charity and was last used for charitable purposes (for up to 6 months)
• you are in prison or detained by a court order
• you are a long term residential patient in a hospital or care home
• the person living there before has died and the will has not yet been settled or was settled less than six months ago
• planning restriction does not allow anyone to live there 
• it is waiting to be lived in by a serving cleric
• the previous owner and sole occupier has died and probate has not yet been settled
• you are living elsewhere to receive or provide care
• it is an unused caravan pitch or boat mooring
• you are bankrupt or the property has been repossessed
• it is an annexe (or granny flat) which cannot be let separately

Also we do not charge council tax if the property is only occupied by:

• full time students
• people under the age of 18
• dependant relatives who are either disabled or aged 65 or more and the home is annexed to the main property (a granny flat)
• people with severe mental-health problems
• visiting forces staff and their dependants
• armed forces staff and their dependants and the home is owned by the Ministry of Defence
• diplomats and their dependants

We do not charge council tax subject to the legislative criteria being met.

Be sure to let us know if you think you may be exempt; it costs nothing, but could save you money.

Date Updated: 04/03/08