Discounts and exemptions
You might be entitled to receive a reduction or an exemption on your Council Tax bill. Find out if you are eligible:
- Council Tax Support
- Discounts
- Single person discount
- Empty properties
- Family annexes
- People with disabilities
- Second adult rebate
- Second homes discount
- Exemptions
While you are waiting to see if your application for a reduction or exemption has been successful, please continue to pay the instalments shown on your original bill until your account is updated and the new bill arrives.
Discounts
The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are two adults living in one household. However, if you are the only adult who lives in your home or if you mainly live in a job-related residence, then your bill can be reduced (read single person discount section and second home discount section).
Single person discount
If you are the only adult that lives in your property (as their main home) and you are over the age of 18 years old, your Council Tax bill will be reduced by a 25%.
Some people are not counted as a second resident for council tax bills, even if they do live with you. See below for a list of people who are disregarded as a second adult.
Apply online for a single person discount
We are conducting a review of all single person discounts, to help you complete the review forms pdf read the frequently asked questions (324 KB) .
We don't include all adults that live in a property when processing a Council Tax bill for a household, see below. Apply online or download to complete the relevant forms if you think you are eligible:
Full-time students, non-British spouses/dependents of students |
Apply online |
Student nurses and Youth Training trainees |
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Apprentices |
pdf Download (252 KB) |
Patients permanently a resident in the hospital |
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People who are being looked after in care homes |
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People who are severely mentally impaired |
pdf Download (162 KB) |
People staying in certain hostels or night shelters |
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18 and 19 year olds who are at or have just left school |
Apply online |
Careworkers working for low pay, usually for charities |
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People caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18 |
Apply online |
Members of visiting overseas forces and certain international institutions |
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Members of religious communities (monks and nuns) |
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People in prison (except those in prison for non-payment of Council Tax or a fine) |
Apply online |
Diplomats and members of international organisations headquartered in the UK |
Empty properties
If a property is unoccupied, a 100% discount will apply for one month since the property was last empty and unfurnished, after which a 100% charge will apply.
Newly built properties that are unoccupied and unfurnished will receive a 100% discount for 3 months. After which they will be liable for a full charge.
Unoccupied and unfurnished properties in need of or undergoing major repair work to render them habitable can now claim a 100% discount for a maximum period of 12 months, instead of an exemption. After 12 months a 100% charge applies.
Apply online complete the relevant forms:
Property left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished |
Apply online |
Property requiring or undergoing major repairs or undergoing structural alteration* | Apply online |
* Major repair work to make the property habitable, not in order to upgrade facilities. We look at whether the property was in need of major repair work before the start of the work, rather than as a result of the work. For example, If a property becomes uninhabitable because the bathroom and kitchen have been removed for replacement this would not generally constitute a need for ‘repair’.
Long term empty premium
From 1st April 2013, all properties (apart from some unoccupied annexes or job-related Ministry of Defence accommodation) which have been unoccupied and unfurnished for more than 2 years will be liable to pay 150%. The 2 years can have started before 1st April 2013. If at 1st April 2013, the property had not been empty and unfurnished for 2 years, the charge will be 100% until the 2 years expires, when it will become a charge of 150%.
Following changes to legislation during 2018, the premium will now be increased to 100% from 1 April 2019. This means that with effect from 1 April 2019 where a property has been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished / empty for more than 2 years you will now be liable to pay 200%.
When deciding whether the premium should apply we may take into consideration the reasons why properties are unoccupied and unfurnished, including whether they are available for sale or rent. Please contact us at
Family annexes
If you currently have an annexe which is lived in by a family member, you can receive a 50% Council Tax discount on the annexe. The discount is not based on occupation or furniture but on the use of the annexe by the resident of the main building or occupation by a family member. If a non-family member occupies an annexe the discount will not apply. For more details about annexes visit gov.uk
Application for Council Tax Annexe discount form | Apply online |
People with disabilities
If you, or someone who lives with you, is in need of an extra bathroom, adapted kitchen, or extra space in your property because of wheelchair use indoors, you may be entitled to a reduced Council Tax bill.
(Financial and technical assistance is available to assist in adapting homes to meet the needs of disabled children and adults. For more information see our Disabled Facilities Grant page)
Contact the Listing Officer if your home has any special fixtures that have been added for a disabled resident which reduce the home's value. Also if you do not think they have been taken into account in the valuation band to which your home has been assigned.
You may also be entitled to travel concessions. Visit Worcestershire County Council website for information..
Application for Council Tax disablement reduction | Apply online |
Second adult rebate (2AR)
If you are pension aged and have a second adult living with you, you could be entitled to receive a reduction in your Council Tax bill. To receive the discount, the adult that lives with you cannot be your partner and must be on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits.
To claim this discount, simply tick the relevant answer to the question on our Self Service portal.
Second homes discount
Under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, councils were given the discretion to charge additional council tax of up to 100% on furnished / second homes not used as a sole or main residence.
With effect from 1 April 2025, Wychavon District Councils elected members have voted to use discretionary powers granted under Section 11C and 11D of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to charge an additional 100% Council Tax premium on second homes, furnished properties which are no one’s sole or main residence, subject to legislation. This means that the charge will increase to 200%.
The government has introduced exceptions from the second home premium. These exceptions can be found at Guidance on the implementation of the council tax premiums on long-term empty homes and second homes - GOV.UK. Please contact us if you wish to claim an exception on your long term empty home or second home.
If your reasons for having a second home is job-related, you may be eligible for a 50% discount. You may qualify for a discount if you are liable for paying Council Tax on a second furnished property, a discount will be applied to the dwelling which is not your main residence.
One of the properties must fall into Class A, B or C shown below:
A - The property is provided to you, or to your spouse/civil partner, because of your employment and it is necessary for the proper performance of duties (as stated in your employment contract) i.e. tied accommodation.
B - The property is occupied as a residence from which you, or your spouse/civil partner, perform the duties of a Minister of any religious denomination.
C - You are in the armed forces and have your main residence in the UK in the Ministry of Defence accommodation which is exempt from Council Tax under Class O.
This discount is not applicable:
- if you have a second property in the locality of your place of work but you do not perform the duties of your employment from that address. There must be a direct link between your work and the property, such as a caretaker, landlord of a pub or schoolmaster
- unless both your addresses are in England, Wales or Scotland
- If you are not the liable person for Council Tax at both properties (unless the property is provided by the ministry of defence or for a minister of religion to perform his duties).
- if you are a director or a partner in the company providing the accommodation (unless you are a full time working director/partner or the company is non-profit making or charitable).
Application for Council Tax second home discount | Apply online |
Exemptions
Some dwellings are exempt from Council Tax. These are the classes of exempt dwellings, apply online or download to complete the applicable forms:
A. |
Uninhabitable property and empty property undergoing structural alteration or repairs. (Please note that from 1st April 2013, the government has abolished this exemption. We are replacing this with a discount of 100%. This discount will apply for a maximum period of 12 months (as long as the property remains empty and unfurnished). After 12 months a 100% charge applies. Class D Discount - dwellings requiring or undergoing major repairs or undergoing structural alteration.) |
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B. | Unoccupied property owned by a charity, for a period of up to six months since last occupied. After six months a 100% charge applies. | |
C. | Please note that from 01 April 2013, the government has replaced this exemption with a discount. This will be awarded as a local discount. | |
D. | Unoccupied property because the person who would otherwise occupy the property is in prison. | Apply online |
E. | Unoccupied property because the person who would otherwise occupy the property is a permanent resident in a hospital or a nursing home. | Apply online |
F. | Unoccupied property where probate or letters of administration have not yet been granted, and for a period of up to six months after the date such grant is made. A 100% charge will then apply. | |
G. | Empty property whose occupation is prohibited by law. This may include properties where a planning restriction on occupation applies. | Apply online |
H. | Unoccupied property held available for use of ministers of religion from which to carry out their duties. | |
I. | Unoccupied because the person subject to the tax has their sole or main residence elsewhere in order to receive care. | Apply online |
J. | Unoccupied because the person subject to the tax has their sole or main residence elsewhere in order to provide care. | Apply online |
K. | Unoccupied, where the person subject to the tax is a student and has been since he/she last occupied the property. | |
L. | Property that has been repossessed under a mortgage. | |
M. | Student halls of residence. | |
N. | Premises where ALL the residents are students. | Apply online |
O. | Property owned by the Ministry of Defence and held available for occupation by serving personnel. | |
P. | Property occupied by members of visiting forces or certain international organisations. | |
Q. | Property left empty by a bankrupt. | |
R. | Unused caravan pitch or boat mooring. | |
S. | Property occupied only by people under 18 years of age. | Apply online |
T. | Unoccupied ancillary accommodation (e.g. annexes) which may not be let separately without being in breach of planning regulations. | Apply online |
U. | Property occupied only by people who are severely mentally impaired. | pdf Download (162 KB) |
V. | Property occupied by a foreign diplomat or a member of an international organisation headquartered in the U.K. | |
W. | Any part of a property (e.g. annexes) which is occupied by a dependent relative where the relative is either over 65, severely mentally impaired, or substantially and permanently disabled. | pdf Download (217 KB) |
If you believe your property may qualify or that you may be entitled to a discount, and this is not shown on your bill you should contact us. If your bill shows that a discount or exemption has been applied and your circumstances have changed, then let us know straight away.
If you don't you could be liable to pay a penalty of £70. Failure to provide the correct information may make you liable to pay a further penalty of £200.
Usually, bills are paid in 10 monthly instalments and you get a tax break in February and March. We can help if you are having trouble paying your Council Tax. Find out how to request a change to your Council Tax instalments.