Council Tax Discounts

Council Tax is based on 2 or more people being resident in the property. If only one adult (i.e. aged 18 or over) is resident, there may be a 25% discount. If a property is unoccupied and unfurnished it may be exempt for up to 6 months from the date the dwelling first meets the relevant criteria, regardless of any changes of liability/ownership, followed by 50% discount while it remains unoccupied and unfurnished. From 1st April 2006, the discount applicable to unoccupied, furnished properties was reduced to 10% unless the reason for living elsewhere is due to employment. In this case, if the liable person lives elsewhere in a property provided by their employer in order to carry out his or her job, a 50% discount may still be awarded in respect of the unoccupied property.

Applications for discounts and exemptions will only be considered on receipt of a completed form and the appropriate documentary evidence of entitlement. You must continue to pay your bill as requested while we consider your application. If a reduction is granted a revised bill will be issued to you taking into account payments received. If there is a credit balance on your account after a reduction has been applied, this will be carried forward against your future liability or refunded to you on request.

If a discount or exemption has been applied to your account you must tell us within 21 days of any change in circumstances affecting your entitlement. This includes advising when an unoccupied property becomes furnished and / or occupied or sold, when there is a change to the number of occupants in the property which affects a discount or when an occupier of the property turns 18 or ceases to qualify for disregarded status.

Some properties may be eligible for exemption and more information can be found on our Exemptions Page.

Please view our Council Tax Forms to down load an appropriate form.  The form should be completed in full and sent to Charnwood Borough Council, Council Tax Department, PO ox 184, Erith DA8 9EU.  You may contact the Council Tax office  for further details or advice.

For details of current council tax rates visit our How Council Tax is calculated and what does it pay for webpage