Council Tax Discounts
You may be eligible to claim a discount on your Council Tax. Your bill will show you if you have been granted a discount.
Annexes which are used as part of the main home, or that are occupied by a relative of the person living in the main house, may be entitled to a 50% reduction from the Council Tax charge.
If an annexe is occupied by relatives over the age of 65; or if an annexe is unoccupied with a planning restriction that means it cannot be let or sold separately from the main property, the annexe may be exempt from the Council Tax charge.
The full council tax bill assumes that there are two adults living in a property. A person will not be counted for council tax purposes if he / she fulfils all the criteria listed from A to C below. If, after disregarding an apprentice, there are still at least two other qualifying adults resident in the property, no discount will apply.
A) Employed to learn a trade, business, profession, office, employment or vocation.
B) Undertaking training leading to a qualification accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, the National Assembly of Wales, or the Scottish Vocational Education Council, and
C) Paid a maximum of £195.00 a week but is expecting to earn substantially more when qualified.
To complete this application, an apprentice will need to upload a letter from their employer. The letter must state the start and end dates of the apprenticeship, and the amount the apprentice is being paid. It must also state that the apprenticeship will lead to an accredited qualification.
Please upload this letter on the “Completed Employers Form” section of the application process.
People who are under the age of 25 and have left the care of Surrey County Council may receive a discount, or be exempt, from the Council Tax charge until their 25th birthday.
For Council Tax purposes you may be considered as a Carer if you provide a substantial level of care to a person other than your partner or spouse, or a child in your care under the age of 18.
This exemption applies to any property owned by a registered charity, which has been unoccupied for a period of less than six months and was last occupied in furtherance of the charitable aims of the organisation.
Properties that have been adapted to meet the requirements of disabled people who occupy them may be eligible to be charged at a lower rate of Council Tax.
Government funding for the Section 13a scheme has now ceased. Applications are only available for cases of extreme financial hardship for those who have a physical or mental disability, terminal illness or are a carer for someone with a physical or mental disability or terminal illness.
The applicant must also be in receipt of a Council Tax Support entitlement against their current financial year as applications are not considered for outstanding charges on previous financial years.
If you do not meet these criteria and remain in difficulty, please consult with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau for next steps help.
Please click on this link to see our policy procedures.
Empty properties where the owner or tenant has moved elsewhere as their sole and main residence residence for the purpose of receiving personal care.
You will need to attached a completed doctors form which can be found here.
A person may qualify to be exempt from the Council Tax charge if they have permanently moved into a care home, hospital or hostel.
Apply for a Person in a Care Home, Hospital or Hostel Discount
If someone has a severe mental impairment of intelligence and social functioning that is understood to be permanent, they may be disregarded or exempt from the Council Tax charge if they are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
When submitting your application, please also provide evidence of the qualifying benefit.
If someone who is liable for the Council Tax charge has been detained in a prison or under the Immigration Act or sectioned under the Mental Health Act they may be disregarded or exempt from the Council Tax charge until the end of their detention.
Your full Council Tax bill is based on at least two adults living in a home. If only one adult (over 18) lives in your property, the council tax bill will be reduced by 25%.
You are a full-time student for Council Tax purposes if you’re studying at university or most colleges and:
You are under the age of 20 and your course:
- leads to a qualification up to (but not above) A-level standard or equivalent
- lasts for more than three months
- involves more than 12 hours of study per week
You are undertaking a university or college course that:
- lasts for at least one academic or calendar year
- requires you to be actively studying for at least 24 weeks out of a year
- involves study of at least 21 hours per week during term time
To make an application we require a certificate confirming the above from your place of education.