The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are at least two adults in the home. If there is only one adult, Council Tax will be reduced by a quarter (25%). If a property is a furnished second home the bill will be reduced by 10%. Empty properties are charged at the full rate after any period of exemption.

People in the following groups do not count towards the number of adults resident in a property:

• Full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and Youth Training trainees
• Patients permanently resident in hospital
• People who are being looked after in care homes
• People who are severely mentally impaired
• People staying in certain hostels or night shelters
• 18 and 19 year-olds who are at, or have just left, school
• Careworkers working for low pay, usually for charities
• People caring for someone with a disability who is not their husband, wife, partner or a child under 18
• Members of visiting forces and certain international institutions
• Members of religious communities (monks and nuns)
• People in prison (except those in prison for non-payment of Council Tax or a fine)
• Foreign diplomats

If you think you may be entitled to a discount, you should contact the Council Tax Section.

Please remember, while you are waiting for the outcome of an application, you must continue to pay your current bill. If this causes any problem, please contact us immediately.

Discounts are reviewed at least once each year. We may ask you to provide information that helps us to do this. Failing to supply this information could mean any entitlement is cancelled.

If you receive a discount and the number of adults using the property as their main residence changes, you must tell the Council within 21 days.

You can contact the council tax department as follows: