Council Tax - Application for properties exempt from council tax payments

The property:

• Requires or is  undergoing major repair or undergoing structural alteration (exemption allowed for up to one year only or 6 months from completion of the works, whichever the sooner)
• Is owned by a charity (exemption allowed for up to six months only)
• Is unfurnished (exemption allowed for up to six months only)
• Is left empty by someone who has gone to prison
• Is left empty by someone who has moved to receive personal care in a hospital or a home, or elsewhere
• Is waiting for probate or letters of administration to be granted (exemption continues for up to six months after being granted).
• Is empty because occupation is forbidden by law
• Is waiting to be occupied by a minister of religion
• Is left empty by someone who has moved out to provide personal care to another person
• Is owned by a student and were last occupied by that student
• Has been repossessed
• Is the responsibility of a bankrupt's trustee
• Is the site for an individual caravan or mobile home, or a mooring
• Is difficult to let because they are linked to, or in the grounds of, another property and may not be let separately from that other property without breaching, planning permission. The liable person must, however, live in the other property to qualify.

Occupied property exemptions

• Occupied entirely by students
• Is a forces barracks/ married quarters. Occupants will contribute to the cost of local services through a special arrangement.
• Where at least one liable person is a member of a visiting force.
• Where all the residents are aged 18 or under.
• Where all the residents are severely mentally impaired
• Where at least one liable person is a foreign diplomat.
• Is annexed to a family home and occupied by that family's elderly or disabled relatives.

Contact us for more information or apply for an exemption online.

You must continue to pay current Council Tax bills until the outcome of your application has been decided. If this is causing you problems, please contact us or visit the Difficulties Paying Your Bill page for more information.