How Council Tax works
Who has to pay
You’ll usually have to pay Council Tax if you’re 18 or over.
A full Council Tax bill is based on at least 2 adults living in a home. Spouses and partners who live together are jointly responsible for paying the bill.
Who is not counted (‘disregarded’)
Some people are not counted (‘disregarded’) when working out how many people live in a property. This means you might be able to apply for a discount on your Council Tax bill if you get one.
You’re disregarded if you’re:
- under 18 years old
- on certain apprentice schemes
- 18 or 19 years old and in full-time education
- a full-time student at college or university
- under 25 years old and get funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency
- a student nurse
- a foreign language assistant registered with the British Council
- severely mentally impaired
- a live-in carer for someone who is not your partner, spouse, or child under 18
- a diplomat
Apply for a discount or exemption
You need to apply for a Council Tax discount or an exemption, even if you’re disregarded.
You’ll get 50% off your bill if everyone living in your household is disregarded.
You’ll get 25% off your bill if you pay Council Tax and either:
- you live on your own
- everyone else in your home is disregarded
Contact your local council if you’re unsure about whether you can get a discount or who’s responsible for paying.
People on apprentice schemes
To show that you do not qualify as an adult for Council Tax, you’ll need a declaration from your employer stating that:
- you will not be paid more than £195 a week
- the training leads to a qualification accredited by a body recognised by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) or the Scottish Vocational Education Council (SVEC)
If you get a Council Tax discount by mistake
You must contact your local council. If you do not, you could get a fine.
The council may ask you to pay back the discount.