Persons who do not count for council tax purposes
Your council tax charge is based on there being a minimum of two adults living in your property. If you live alone you can claim a 25% single person discount.
Even if two or more adults live in your household, you may still be able to claim a discount if all but one of the adults, including you, are disregarded (do not count) for council tax purposes. Adults that do not count include:
- full time students, student nurses and foreign language assistants
- apprentices and youth training trainees
- patients resident in hospital or care homes
- people who are severely mentally impaired
- people staying in certain hostels or night shelters
- 18 and 19 year olds who are at, or have just left, school and intend to enrol in further education
- people for whom child benefit is payable
- care workers working for low pay, usually for charities
- people caring for someone with a disability who is not their husband, wife, partner, or a child under 18
- members and non-British dependants of visiting armed forces
- members of religious communities (monks and nuns)
- people in prison (except those in prison for non-payment of council tax or a fine)
If, even after disregarding any adults living in your household who do not count for council tax purposes, more than one adult does still count, then no discounts can be claimed. You can still make a claim for council tax support if you are on a low income.