Council Tax Single person discount

Usually if you live alone in a property you will qualify for a single person discount, but there are some important considerations that may affect you.

Apply for a single person discount

Splitting time between more than one home

We count a person over the age of 18 as living at an address if it is your ‘sole or main residence’. If a person spends time at more than one address, we must decide which one is their main residence. To do this we look into the circumstances, taking into account:

• Whether they physically reside at each address
• The reasons why they have two addresses
• Where their wife, husband or partner lives, if they have one
• Where their children live, if they have any
• Their legal tie to each address
• Where they keep most of their belongings
• Whether they intend to return to one address eventually
• Whether anything prevents them from returning whenever you want to
• Which address seems to be their most settled home

We also look at how much time they spend at each address, but this is not the most important factor.

Even if a property is not your main residence, you may still be the liable person for it (that is, the person responsible for paying the bill.)

If you are the only person who ever lives at more than one address and are the liable person at each address, you will still only qualify for a single person discount at your main residence. We will count no residents at the other address, so you will be charged full Council Tax at that address as it will be considered an unoccupied but furnished property.

If others live with you part of the time, or are temporarily away from home

Some common queries are answered below. Please contact us before claiming a discount if you need specific advice for your circumstances.

My partner needs to live elsewhere because of their job is too far away to commute; they only come home from time to time. Can I get a single person discount?

Usually no, because a couple are generally regarded as having their sole or main residence together. If you still think you should receive a discount please contact us as we will need some further information about your circumstances.

My son/daughter who is over 18 has gone abroad travelling. Can I get a single person discount?

Usually no, because their sole or main home would be considered to be with you unless they have actually moved out and have no intention to return when their travels come to an end. If you still think you should receive a discount please contact us as we will need some further information about the circumstances.

If you disagree with our decision

If you think we have got your sole or main residence wrong, contact us and explain why. It will save time if you include as much detail as possible about your circumstances.