Exemption for occupied properties
An occupied property may be exempt from council tax in special circumstances.
Occupied properties are exempt if either:
- they are student residences at universities or colleges
- they are homes occupied by students or school and college leavers
- they are homes of non-British spouses and dependents of a student
- they are Ministry of Defence (MOD) properties for the armed forces
- all the occupiers are under 18 years-old
- all the occupiers are severely mentally impaired (SMI) or SMI and students
- you have diplomatic privilege or immunity
In these cases:
- a student is someone attending a qualifying course at a prescribed educational establishment
- a school or college leaver is an 18 to 19 year-old who left school or college between 1 May and 31 October
- the Ministry of Defence contributes an amount equal to the council tax for its personnel
Annexes occupied by a dependent relative
A property is exempt if it is an annex, and home to a dependent relative of an occupier of the main attached property.
A dependent relative is someone who is either:
- over 65
- severely mentally impaired (SMI)
- permanently and substantially physically disabled
Request an exemption
If you believe your property may be exempt from council tax for one of the reasons listed above, contact us using our council tax request a service form.