Council Tax Discounts
How we provide this service
Information on Council Tax discounts is supported by Finance, Revenues.
Your Council Tax can be reduced if you live on your own, some or all of the people living in your property are not counted as living with you, or, your property is not anyone's main home.
Your bill will tell you of any discount you may have already been given. You MUST inform the Revenues Team of any changes in your circumstances that may affect any discount shown on your bill.
Fax: 01775 711253
Email: counciltax@sholland.gov.uk
What to do to get this service
Please see the list below to see which discount you may be able to claim. If you need further advice or information please contact us on 01775 761161.
Who can apply?
25% Single Person Discount - You can get this discount off your bill if you are the only adult who lives in a property. Single Person Discount Application Form (PDF, 14KB)
Second Homes Discount
Second homes are those which are furnished but not used as anyone's main home. From 1st April 2013 there is no discount on second homes.
Some second homes will qualify for a 50% discount. The exceptions are:
a) Where the Council Tax payer is required to live in 'job related accommodation' because of their employment terms or conditions (for example a minister of religion resident in a dwelling for the performance of their duties or publicans required to live on licensed premises).
b) Where the Council Tax payers are service personnel living in armed forces accommodation in England, Scotland or Wales.
c) Second homes that are pitches occupied by caravans.
d) Second homes that are moorings occupied by boats.
Empty and Unfurnished Properties:
From 1 April 2013, if your property is empty and unfurnished, you might be entitled to a 100% discount for up to one month.
If your property is unfurnished and needs major repairs or is undergoing structural alterations to make it habitable, you might be entitled to a 25% discount for up to 12 months.
Long Term Empty Dwellings Premium
From 1 April 2013, a premium charge of 50% will be added to Council Tax bills where the dwelling has been empty and unfurnished for 2 years or more. This will take the amount payable to 150% of the usual Council Tax.
Please see Council Tax Changes Regarding Empty Homes - Frequently Asked Questions regarding the changes to discounts from 1 April 2013 as these may answer any questions you may have.
Discount Disregards - Some people don't count as occupiers and are disregarded. If two or more people live in a property.
- You can get 25% off your bill if only one of the people counts as an occupier.
- You can get 50% if no one who lives there counts as an occupier.
The following is a list of people who don't count as occupiers:
- full time students whose main home is in South Holland;
- the partner of a student or the dependant of a student who is not a British Citizen;
- long-term patients in hospital or who live in care homes;
- the severely mentally impaired - Severe Mental Impairment Application Form (PDF, 20KB);
- 18 and 19 year olds still eligible for child benefit;
- school or college leavers aged under 20;
- residents of hostels for the homeless or night shelters;
- when looking after someone who is not their partner and not a child who is under 18 years old - Carer Application Letter (PDF, 37KB);
- working carer;
- members of religious communities;
- members of visiting armed forces and international institutions;
- diplomats;
- people in prison (not those in prison for not paying fines or their Council Tax);
- student nurses;
- apprentices - Apprentice Application Form (PDF, 11KB).
Contact Name for this service
Revenues Team
Telephone number for this service
01775 761161
Links to forms, leaflets and websites providing more information
Single Person Discount Application Form (PDF, 14KB)
Severe Mental Impairment Application Form (PDF, 20KB)
Carer Application Letter (PDF, 37KB)
Student Application Form (PDF, 42KB)
Apprentice Application Form (PDF, 11KB)
Application for Council Tax Discount - Uninhabitable / Major Works form (PDF, 73KB)
What do I need to provide?
25% Single Person Discount Single Person Discount Application Form (PDF, 14KB).
Discount Disregards:
Full time students and Student nurses whose main home is in South Holland- a student certificate for each student and an application form Student Application Form (PDF, 42KB).
The partner of a student or the dependant of a student who is not a British Citizen - a student certificate for the student and a copy of the dependants visa that shows they are unable to work in the UK or claim benefits.
Long-term patients in hospital or who live in care homes Letter confirming the name and address of the hospital or care home; and date of admittance; and confirmation that the stay will be permanent.
Severely mentally impaired - a completed application form Severe Mental Impairment Application Form (PDF, 20KB).
18 and 19 year olds still eligible for child benefit A copy of the child benefit award letter.
Residents of hostels for the homeless or night shelters - A letter from the hostel/night shelter confirming the dates the person entered the establishment and is expected to leave.
Carers looking after someone who is not their partner and not a child who is under 18 years old Carer Letter (PDF, 37KB).
Working Carers providing care or support to someone through their connection with a charity or local authority - a completed application form.
Members of religious communities- Proof that they receive no income and have no capital of their own. A letter from the head of the religious community that confirms its full name and address, its principal occupation and any income the person receives from the community.
Diplomats, members of visiting armed forces and international institutions - Written confirmation of the occupier's status is required from the Embassy or international organisation headquarters. Or for visiting forces a certificate under section 11 of the Visiting Forces Act 1952.
People in prison - Name and prison number; name of prison(s); date detention began; expected release date.
Apprentices- A completed application form Apprentice Application Form (PDF, 11KB).
From 1 April 2013:
Unoccupied dwelling requiring or undergoing major repair or structural alteration to make it habitable - A completed Application for Council Tax Discount - Uninhabitable / Major Works form (PDF, 73KB), photographic evidence and other relevant supporting documents.
Unoccupied and substantially unfurnished dwelling - Written confirmation that the property is unoccupied and unfurnished together with the address where you are currently living.
Council Tax Advice - Uninhabitable Properties (PDF, 496KB)
Common Questions
Q. Can I have a single person discount because my husband works away in London all week or works abroad, and only comes back home for holidays?
A. No - case law in the High Court has established the principle that a person's home will be regarded as "Where they would normally live were it not for their work commitments" even if the majority or virtually all of their time is spent elsewhere. In this case, the husband is treated as having his main residence with his wife.
Q. Why do I have to pay Council Tax on unoccupied and unfurnished properties?
A. The reason for this is that the government wants to discourage owners from leaving property empty. They believe that such properties create extra costs for councils because they can encourage vandalism, crime, accumulation of rubbish, vermin and general nuisance. It is felt that the owners should contribute towards these costs especially as they benefit from other locally provided services like police, fire, roads, and such like.
Q. Can I have a discount for prompt payment? I've paid the full year up front.
A. The power to do this is at the discretion of the Council and the current policy is not to offer it in any circumstances. It is felt that to do so would discriminate against the poorer section of the community who could not afford to pay very far in advance. The better off can afford to pay up front, but they don't have to! Giving them a discount would be to their advantage, but it would be at the expense of the less well off.
Q. I have bought this property and will be using it as a holiday home - I still live in Manchester and pay Council Tax there. Do I get a discount on my bill?
A. No - from 1 April 2013 there is no discount in South Holland for second homes.
Q. Do I get a discount if my husband is a student?
A. Yes - if there is only you and your husband who live in the property then you will receive a 25% discount on your bill simply complete the application form Student Application Form (PDF, 42KB)
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Contact Details
If you have any queries about the information provided above, or require further information, please contact Customer Services on 01775 761161 or email info@sholland.gov.uk.
