Single person discount
A household with one adult occupier (over the age of 18 years) is entitled to a 25% discount. This is not a means tested discount and applies where there is only one adult resident. The Council will check discount claims with third party records to ensure accuracy.
Please apply using the on-line form available on the right-hand side of this page.
Even where there are two or more adults, you could still get the 25% discount if other adult residents are disregarded. Please see the information on Disregarded People.
Furnished unoccupied properties (second homes)
If there are no residents and the property is furnished the bill is charged as a second home at 100%.
A 50% job-related discount may be available if you own a second property that you do not live in because you are required to live elsewhere for your job (e.g. a school caretaker that may be required to live in on-site accommodation or a Pub Manager who is required to live on the premises). You may also receive 50% job related discount in respect of the property you are required to live in for employment purposes.
Empty Properties (unoccupied and unfurnished)
For properties which become empty there is a 25% discount for up to 6 months, there is no discount after this 6-month period has expired.
Please note the discount begins on the date that property becomes empty. For example, if this is 2 weeks before the end of a tenancy agreement then the discount begins at that time. After the end of the tenancy a new period of discount does not begin again and the landlord would receive the remainder of any discounts available.
Similarly, if a property is sold and the previous owners vacate and remove their furniture before the completion of the sale, the new owner will receive the balance of any discounts available. A new period of discount does not begin again.
Family annexe discount
This discount of 50% can apply in the following circumstances:
- If you currently live in an annexe and are related to the person(s) living in the main house then you may be entitled to this new discount.
or
- If you are the owner of an unoccupied annexe and you use it as part of your main house then this discount may also apply.
Please note – There is no discount if an annexe is occupied by a non-family member.
When Does The Discount Apply?
- The annexe must be part of the main home, i.e. it must form part of a single property.
- The family member living in the annexe must be related to the person(s) living in the main house in either of the following ways:
- Spouse or civil partner (including unmarried people who are living together as a married couple and where a same-sex couple are living together as if they were civil partners), parent, child/stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, great-grandparent/great-great-grandparent, great-grandchild/great-great-grandchild, great-uncle/great-great-uncle, great-aunt/great-great-aunt, great-nephew/great-great-nephew, great-niece/great-great-niece.
- If the annexe is unoccupied and is being used as part of the main house.
In all cases our Property Inspector will visit you to discuss your application to ensure that you and the annexe meet the criteria for this discount.
Council Tax Reduction
This is a means tested discount, assessed using your financial details. For more information see the Council Tax Reduction page.
Information about other discounts can be found on the following pages:
Uninhabitable properties
An uninhabitable discount may be granted to properties which are unoccupied, unfurnished and require or are undergoing major repairs and structural alterations to make them habitable. Each case is decided upon the facts relating to the physical condition of the property and the nature of the work that is needed. This 25% discount can only apply for a maximum period of 12 months to the property, irrespective of ownership, a new period of discount does not start with a new owner. The discount ends if the property becomes occupied or furnished.
We would need evidence confirming the works which are being carried out, these can be photographs, invoices or schedules of works, estate agents details, surveyors reports. Generally photographs are the best option, which you can attach to an email to council.tax@bassetlaw.gov.uk providing details of the request for uninhabitable discount.
There are no specific pieces of evidence, but we must be satisfied that the property is uninhabitable. In some cases, a Council Tax property inspector may also need to inspect the property.
When considering major/structural repairs, consideration will be given to the following:
- Structural repairs to the main structure of the property, i.e. major roof repairs
- Replacing defective solid floor/ceiling joists
- Rebuilding internal/external walls.
General refurbishment and redecoration, such as replacing a kitchen or bathroom will not be considered.
Plumbing and heating repairs will not be considered, neither will general maintenance, such as re-pointing, window/door replacement.
If you think the property is derelict you can ask the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) if they will delete it from their list. The VOA decide which properties should be charged council tax.
Last Updated on Friday, January 10, 2025
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