Council Tax - Reductions for the disabled
Your bill may be reduced if a permanently disabled person (whether an adult or child) lives in the dwelling.
Your dwelling must have certain features which are essential or of major importance to the well being of the disabled person. These features are:-
- a room other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet which is used mainly by the disabled person
- an additional bathroom or kitchen for the use of the disabled person
- extra space inside the dwelling for the use of a wheelchair
When considering whether a reduction should apply, the council have to decide whether the person with the disability would find it impossible or extremely difficult to live in the dwelling, or whether their health would suffer, or the disability become more severe, if the extra feature were not available in the dwelling.
To qualify for a reduction, the extra room need not be specially built, but can be an existing room used specifically for the person with the disability.
If your home is eligible, your bill will be reduced to that of a property in the valuation band immediately below the band shown on the valuation list. For example, if your home is in band D, your bill will be reduced to that for a band C dwelling. This will not, however, affect the value of your home or its banding on the valuation list. In this example, it would still be shown as band D on the valuation list. If your home is in band A (the lowest council tax band) a reduction of 1/9 of the band D council tax would apply.
Contact the Revenues Section on T: 0208 207 7407 for further information and details of how to apply, or email us at: revenues@hertsmere.gov.uk.