There are a number of ways you may be able to reduce the amount of Council Tax you pay:
• Discounts
• Exemptions
• Reductions for people with disabilities
• Benefit

Discounts

Discounts may be available depending on who lives in the property.

Single Person Discount
The full Council Tax bill is based on two adults living in a home. If only one adult lives in the property as their main home we will reduce the Council Tax bill by 25%.

Empty Properties
If a property is no-one’s main home and unfurnished there is no charge for 6 months. For the next 6 months a 50% charge is payable after which the full charge becomes due.

Second Homes
The discount for second homes is 10%. This means that those liable for Council Tax on second homes pay 90% of the full charge. Second Homes are defined as no-one's main main home but remain furnished. Exceptions may apply to job-related dwellings.

Counting the Number of Adults
We do not count some people when we look at the number of adults in a home. But we will not reduce the Council Tax if there are two or more people living there who are not in the type of discounts listed below:

1. Full-time students (including student nurses, apprentices and youth trainees)
2. People who live in hospital
3. People who live in care homes
4. People who are severely mentally disabled
5. 18 and 19 year olds who are at, or have just left school
6. Some careworkers
7. People who care for someone with a disability who is not their husband, wife, partner or child under 18
8. Members of visiting forces
9. Members of religious communities such as nuns
10. People in prison (unless they are in prison for not paying their Council Tax or a fine).

If you wish to claim for a discount or require further information the please contact the Council Tax office.

Exemptions

There are times when a property may be exempt from Council Tax. This means that for the time the property is exempt, Council Tax will not be charged. Some types of property are exempt for a set time, but others stay exempt until the circumstances change. The types of exempt property are:

A Empty properties which are being built or uninhabitable due to structural or major repair (exempt for up to one year).

B Empty properties owned by charities (exempt for up to 6 months).

C Properties that are empty and unfurnished (exempt for up to 6 months)

D Properties that are left empty by people held in prison

E Properties that are left empty by people living in a hospital or care home

F Properties that are left empty because the people who have lived there have died

G Properties that no-one is allowed to live in by-law

H Empty properties that are kept available for a minister of religion to perform his duties

I Properties that are empty because the people who live there are staying somewhere else to be cared for

J Properties that are empty because the people who live there are staying somewhere else to care for another person

K Properties that are left empty by students

L Empty properties that have been repossessed

M Students’ homes that are owned or managed by a school or college

N Homes that are lived in only by students

O Military homes

P Properties that are lived in by members of visiting forces

Q Properties that are left empty by bankrupt people

R Caravan pitches or boat moorings that are not being used

S Properties that are lived in only by people who are under 18

T An empty building or property in the grounds of another home

U Properties that are lived in only by people who are severely mentally disabled

V A diplomat’s home

W A ‘granny flat’ lived in by a dependent relative of a person who lives in the main home

If you wish to claim for an exemption or require further information the please contact the Council Tax office (contact details)

Reductions for People with Disabilities

You may be able to get a reduction in your Council Tax bill if you, or someone who lives with you, has a disability and needs:
• An extra room
• An extra bathroom or kitchen
• Extra space to use a wheelchair

Your bill is reduced to the amount for a property in the band immediately below the band it is in now. For example, if your property is in band C your bill is reduced to that for a property in band B.  Properties in Band A are eligible to a reduction equivalent to one valuation band.

If you wish to claim for a disabled reduction or require further information the please contact the Council Tax office (contact details)

Benefits

If you are responsible for paying the Council Tax bill for your home, and you have a low income or Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance you may be able to receive Council Tax Benefit. You cannot receive benefit if you have more than £16,000 in savings, although differnt rules apply for those in receipt of Pensions Credits.

Some people may be able to claim a type of benefit called ‘Second Adult Rebate’ instead of receiving Council Tax Benefit.

The rules for getting Second Adult Rebate are:
• You must be the only person responsible for paying the Council Tax
• One or more people aged 18 or over must live with you
• The people who live with you must not be your partner, joint tenant or owner
• No-one must pay you rent to live in your home

Second adult rebate is given if the other adult (or adults) living in your home has a low income. We do not count your earnings or savings when we work out the benefit.

If you think you may qualify for benefit you should apply at once as we cannot usually be backdate your claim.

If you wish to claim for Council Tax Benefit or would like further information please contact the Benefit Division on 01992 564156.

If you are already receiving Council Tax Benefit, you are reminded that it is most important to notify changes that may affect your Benefit entitlement to both this Council and where appropriate, the Department for Work and Pensions. You can either notify the Benefits Division in person at the Civic Offices or write to them at PO Box 5455, Benefits Division, Epping CM16 4DS.