Council Tax - Discounts and Council Tax Support

If only one adult lives in a property as their main home, the bill may be reduced by 25%. This is called a Single Person Discount.

Apply for a Single Person Discount (PDF, 35kb)

From 1 April 2022, all empty home discounts are reduced to 0%.

From 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2022, the following discounts were available:

• Class B - Second Home Discount of 10%. This was available on homes which were occupied by the owner occasionally. Or, were homes normally let out, which were furnished and in-between lets, up to 31 March 2022
• Class CU - Unoccupied / Unfurnished Discount of 100%. This is available for a maximum period of up to 2 months or until 31 March 2022, whichever comes first.
• Class D - Uninhabitable / Undergoing Major Repairs Discount of 50%. This is for a maximum period of 12 months or until 31 March 2022, whichever comes first.
• Class BE - Discount of 50% for second homes which are occupied directly in connection with tied employment - for example, caretakers/pub managers, who have their main home elsewhere.

Please email revenues@hertsmere.gov.uk for more information.

Your bill may be reduced if a permanently disabled person, adult or child, lives in the property. Your property must have certain features which are essential, or a major importance to the well-being of the disabled person.

These features must include at least one of the following:

• A room (but not a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) which is used mainly by the disabled person. For example; an extension used for storing dialysis equipment, or a bedroom provided downstairs in a property with two or more storeys.
• An additional bathroom or kitchen in the property for the use of the disabled person.
• Extra space inside the property for the use of a wheelchair.

When considering whether a reduction should apply, we have to decide whether the disabled person would be able to live in the property, or their disability would be made worse without this feature.

If your home is eligible, your bill will be reduced to the valuation band immediately below. For example, if your home is band D, your bill will be reduced to a band C home. Please note this will not affect the value of your property or its banding on the valuation list.

There is a discount of 50% for annexes which are:

1. Occupied by a dependant relative; or
2. 'Unoccupied' as the annexe is being used as part of the main home.

Please note that you may be entitled to an exemption if the annexe is:

1. Occupied by a dependent relative; or
2. Unoccupied and cannot be let separately from the main dwelling without a breach of planning control.

To be ‘disregarded’ as a carer, you must meet all the following criteria:

• You must provide care for at least 35 hours a week
• You must live in the same property as the person you care for
• You must not be the spouse or partner of the person you care for, or their parent if you care for a child under 18
• The person you care for must be getting either the middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance, the daily living component of Personal Independent Payment, Attendance Allowance (any rate), Armed Forces Independence Payment or the highest rate of Constant Attendance Allowance.

Apply for a Carer Discount (PDF, 79kb)

You may receive a council tax discount if someone in your home is:

• A non-British husband/wife/dependent of a student, who is prevented by the terms of their leave/enter/remain in the UK from working or claiming benefit.
• A student, student nurse apprentice or youth training trainee.
• Under 20 and still at school, or has just left school.
• Living in hospital
• Living in a care home
• A member of a religious community
• A member (or dependent) of international headquarters and a defence organisation.
• A member (or dependent) of a visiting force
• A person who still has a Child Benefit paid for them.
• A person who is  a foreign language assistant.
• A person who is severely mentally impaired.
• In prison or held somewhere else by the authorities.
• A person who lives in a hostel for the homeless or a night shelter
• A person with diplomatic immunity or privileges.

We can reduce your bill by 25% or 50%, depending on how many people we count.

If we count one person as living in your property we can give you a 25% discount.

If we disregard all residents within the property we can give you a 50% discount.