Council Tax Discounts

Single Occupier discount
The full Council Tax assumes that there are two or more adults living in a property. If only one adult lives in a property (as their main home), the Council Tax bill will be reduced by a quarter (25%).

Discounts for occupied properties
When looking at the number of adults living  in a property certain people will not be counted if they meet certain conditions:-

• 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 years old who are at, or who have just left, school
• care workers working for low pay (usually for charities)
• carers for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner or 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 fines or Council Tax)

Discounts for unoccupied properties
With effect from April 2013 owners of empty and unfurnished properties will be entitled to a discount of 100%. The discounts will be:-

100% for up to 6 months for dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished.
100% for up to 12 months for dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished and are undergoing, or have undergone within the last six months, major repairs, including structural alterations, to render them habitable.
If you feel that you should qualify for a discount, please contact the Council Tax Section on 01895 837500. Alternatively please e-mail on ctax@southbucks.gov.uk

Please note:- If you receive a discount on your Council Tax, you are required by law to advise the Council immediately of any change in circumstances which may affect your entitlement.