Discounts on Council Tax
Single person discount
The Council Tax bill assumes there are at least two adults over the age of 18 living in a dwelling. If there is only one adult living in the dwelling as their main home the Council Tax bill will be reduced by 25%. If one adult lives at the property full time and a second adult lives there part time, depending on the reasoning a discount may not be applied in line with legal precedent. To enquire if single person discount would qualify please fill out the below form.
Claim a single person discount
Furnished properties
These types of properties include second homes, holiday homes and properties left unfurnished between tenancies. Despite the situation, full Council Tax charge is payable on properties under these circumstances. From 1 April 2025, a property in this category for longer than 1 year and not exempt will incur a 100% premium of Council Tax, which will be added to the standard charge.
Empty property premium
From 1 April 2024 where a property is left unoccupied and unfurnished for more than 1 year will incur a 100% premium to the standard Council Tax charge. Properties empty for 2 years will have 200% premium and properties empty for 10 years or more will have 300% premium applied.
What constitutes substantially unfurnished is not defined in legislation. Our policy is that, to not be considered substantially unfurnished, a property would need to be furnished to at least a degree where it could be occupied with more or less full usage, i.e. with at least most of the rooms being furnished to at least a minimal degree that would allow them to be used for their intended usage.
Disregard discounts
Occupiers in the following categories may be "disregarded" for Council Tax purposes. This gives rise to a reduction if there is only one adult occupier of a property who is not disregarded (25% discount), or if all adult occupiers are disregarded (50% discount, or a full exemption in certain categories):
- full time students, student nurses, apprentices and Youth Training trainees
- patients 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 year olds who are at or have just left school (discount applicable until the 31st October in the year that they left school, or until they turn 20)
- careworkers working for low pay, usually for charities
- people caring 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 council tax or a fine)
- A person who came into the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship scheme. (To claim the Homes for Ukraine discount, please email council.tax@reigate-banstead.gov.uk)
Please note that a disregard discount is not the same as the single person discount. If you are in receipt of a single person discount as the sole adult occupier with a child or children aged under 18, you will need to notify the Council when they turn 18, even if they are in a disregarded category. A disregard discount will usually require evidence to be provided.
Disabled band reduction
If you, or someone who lives with you, need a room, an extra bathroom or kitchen, or extra space in your property to meet special needs arising from a disability, you may be entitled to a reduced Council Tax bill. The bill may be reduced to that of a property in the band immediately below the band shown on the valuation list.
These reductions ensure that disabled people do not pay more tax on account of space needed because of a disability. For properties in band A, a reduction of 1/9th of the Council Tax bill will apply where the criteria for the disability reduction are met.
The disability reduction is separate from Council Tax Support for low income households. You can apply for, and be entitled to, both depending on the criteria being met.
Apply for a disabled band reduction
Care leavers
With effect from 1 April 2020, young people leaving care in Reigate & Banstead who are living alone or with other care leavers are eligible for full reduction until their 25th birthday. If they are living with another adult who is not a care leaver, the reduction will be 50%.
Apply for a care leavers discount (DOCX)
Annexes
An annexe or similar self-contained part of a property is likely to be banded separately for Council Tax
An exemption may be applicable on the Council Tax charge for the annexe in the following circumstances: 1. If the annexe is unoccupied and cannot be let separately to the main home without breaching planning conditions; or 2. If the annexe is occupied as their main residence by a dependent relative of someone who is resident in the main dwelling - the dependent relative must be either over the age of 65, severely mentally impaired, or substantially and permanently disabled.
From April 2014, if the annexe is used as part of the main home or occupied by another family member then a 50% discount may be applicable on the Council Tax charge for the annexe.
Apply for a 50% annexe discount (DOCX)
Changes of circumstances
If your bill indicates that a discount has been allowed, you must tell your billing authority within 21 days of any change of circumstances which affects your entitlement.
If you fail to do so you may be required to pay a penalty of £70.
If you still fail to supply information, a further penalty of up to £280 may be imposed.
- See more: Civil Fine for Single Persons Discount