Council Tax - Exemptions

Exemptions and empty property discounts
Some properties are exempt from council tax. The different classes of exemption are listed below.

Properties occupied by:

full time students (they must complete an application form and return it to us with a council tax certificate from their place of study);
severely mentally impaired people;
a foreign diplomat who would normally have to pay council tax;
people who are under 18;
members of a visiting force who would normally have to pay council tax; or
elderly or disabled relatives of a family who live in the main property, in certain annexes and self-contained accommodation.

Unoccupied properties which:

are substantially unfurnished, are exempt for up to a maximum of six months (after that, full charge);
are owned by a charity, are exempt for up to six months;
are left empty by someone who has moved to receive care in a hospital or home elsewhere;
are left empty by someone who has gone into prison;
are left empty by someone who has moved so they can care for someone else;
are waiting for probate to be granted, and for six months after probate is granted;
have been repossessed;
are the responsibility of a bankrupt's trustee;
are waiting for a minister of religion to move in;
are left empty by a student whose term-time address is elsewhere;
are empty because it is against the law to live there, including from 1st April 2007 where a planning condition prevents occupation;
form part of another property and may not be let separately; or
are not furnished and need structural alteration or major repair work, and for six months after works are completed, if the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished. There is a maximum 12 month limit for this exemption regardless of whether works have been completed.

A pitch or mooring that doesn't have a caravan or boat on it is also exempt.

If you feel you are entitled to an exemption, please contact us - we may be able to give you an exemption straight away.