About Council Tax
Council Tax is based on the number of people living in a property. Council Tax helps pay for local services, and applies to all domestic properties whether owned or rented.
About Council Tax disregards
If you're 'disregarded' this means that we do not count you. If you live with someone who is not counted it may mean that you get a discount on your bill.
Reductions and exemptions
We have Council Tax reductions and exemptions that could apply to you.
For students and under 18s
If you're a student, live with students or under 18s you may be eligible for a reduction or exemption.
If you're on a low income
If you're on a low income, you may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction to reduce your bill.
Find out more information about the Council Tax reduction scheme
If you're disabled, a carer or a care worker
If you're disabled or a carer, you may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction.
If you live alone
If you're 18 years of age or over and live alone you can get 25% off your Council Tax bill.
Council Tax discretionary relief
We can reduce the amount of Council Tax where we feel it's appropriate and will treat all applications on an individual basis. We'll only award relief in exceptional circumstances and for a limited period.
You can claim discretionary relief even if you're already receiving a Council Tax reduction but you must provide evidence of financial hardship or exceptional circumstances.
Apply by emailing ctax@medway.gov.uk
Annexes
An annexe is exempt if it is occupied by a dependent relative of the person living in the other property.
A dependent relative is a person who is:
- at least 65 years of age
- severely mentally impaired
- disabled
Apply for an occupied property exemption
Annexes occupied by a relative
If an annexe is occupied by a relative of the person living in the other property, a 50% discount can be claimed. Email ctax@medway.gov.uk
Unoccupied annexes
You may also be eligible for a reduction or exemption if you have an unoccupied annexe.
Empty properties
If a property is empty, you may be able to get a Council Tax exemption.
If you live with someone in prison or hospital
If someone in your property goes to prison or is detained in hospital and you're now the only person living in the property you can claim a discount. If the property is now empty you may be able to claim an exemption.
This includes people who are:
- in prison
- detained or in custody under the armed forces regulations
- detained under the Immigration of Mental Health Acts.
You cannot claim a discount if the person is in prison for non-payment of Council Tax or a fine.
If you're a trustee in bankruptcy
For trustees in bankruptcy you should email ctax@medway.gov.uk.
Charity owned properties
For charity owned properties, you should email ctax@medway.gov.uk.
If you're a nun or monk
Members of religious communities with no income (other than an occupational pension from previous employment) will be disregarded. They will be disregarded if they depend on the community to meet their needs.
Email ctax@medway.gov.uk for more details.
If you're a member of visiting forces
If someone living in your home is a member of a visiting force or a dependent of that person, you can claim a discount if you are the only other resident.
If the member of a visiting force is liable for the Council Tax the property will be exempt.
Apply by emailing ctax@medway.gov.uk
If you're homeless and living in night shelters
To be disregarded, the property must not have self-contained units and must be used for those with no fixed address.
Email ctax@medway.gov.uk for more details.
Members of International Headquarters and Defence organisations
If someone living in your home is a member of certain international headquarters and defence organisations or a dependant of that person you can claim a discount if you are the only other resident. If there are no other residents, the property will be exempt.
The person must not be a British citizen, a British Dependent Territories citizen, a British National (Overseas) or a British Overseas citizen, a British protected person or a permanent resident in the UK.
Apply by emailing ctax@medway.gov.uk
Diplomats
If someone in your home has diplomatic privilege and you’re the only other resident, you can claim a discount. If the diplomat is liable for the Council Tax, the property will be exempt.
You can't apply for a discount if the person liable for paying the council tax bill is a:
- British citizen
- British Dependent Territories citizen
- British National citizen (overseas)
- British Overseas citizen.
We'll ask the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to verify diplomatic privilege or immunity.
Apply by emailing ctax@medway.gov.uk