Council Tax - Discounts
The following information is intended as a guide only and does not represent a full definition of the qualifying conditions. Further details can be obtained by contacting Council Tax. Please see the link at the bottom of this page.
The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are two adults, aged 18 years or over, living in a dwelling. If only one adult lives in a dwelling the taxpayer will be entitled to a 25% discount. The liable person for a dwelling which is no-one's main residence (including empty dwellings and second homes) will be entitled to a discount of 10%*
* With effect from 1 April 2004, Billing Authorities have the power to reduce the unoccupied discount rate. In Kingston it has been reduced to 10%. Please note, if a person is required to live in job-related accommodation to carry out their employment, a 50% discount sill still be granted.
To find out if you may be entitled to a discount, you should count the number of adults who live in your home as their main dwelling, but are not in one of the following groups:
- A person for whom child benefit is being received;
- 18 or 19 year old who has just left school or college;
- Student nurse;
- Aprentice;
- Youth Training trainee;
- Patient resident in hospital;
- Person who is being looked after in a residential care home, nursing home, or hostel providing a high level of care;
- Person living with, and providing essential care for someone, for example due to disability, who is not their spouse, partner or child under 18;
- Careworker such as a Community Service Volunteer;
- Person who is severely mentally impaired;
- Convicted or remand prisoner, unless in prison for non-payment of fines or the Council Tax;
- Person staying in certain hostels or night shelters;
- Person living in a religious community with no income of their own;
- Member of International Headquarters or Defence Organisation;
- Member of a Visiting Force;
- Diplomat.
If you are left with two or more people, you will not be entitled to any discount.
If there is one person, you may be entitled to a discount of 25%.
If there is no one, you may be entitled to a discount of 10%.
No discount shown on your bill?
If there is no discount shown on your bill and you think that you may be entitled to one, you should contact the Council Tax section. Please provide us with the date that you became the sole adult occupier (if applicable) and the name(s) and forwarding address of any occupier(s) who have vacated the property. You will normally be required to provide supporting evidence.