Council tax bills are set to rise by an average of 4.9 per cent in England from April, pushing the typical Band D bill up by £111. Some councils have been given permission to impose even larger increases to shore up their finances. However, many households may be unaware they can reduce their bills through various discounts and support schemes.
There are four main groups likely to qualify for council tax reductions: those on low incomes or receiving certain benefits; people with disabilities or caring responsibilities; single-person households; and households where all residents are ‘disregarded’ for council tax purposes. The amount of reduction and exact eligibility criteria vary by local council.
Single-person households can claim a 25 per cent discount, but this is not automatic and requires application. To qualify, the person must be the only adult aged 18 or over living in the home who is not otherwise disregarded. Failure to update the council if someone moves in may result in a penalty.
If everyone in the household is disregarded – for example, full-time students or people with severe mental impairments – the bill can be reduced by 50 per cent. If only one person is counted, the 25 per cent single-person discount applies.
Households can check their eligibility using the Government’s postcode checker at Gov.uk, which directs them to their local council’s reduction scheme. Support can reduce bills by up to 100 per cent for those on low incomes or benefits.
