Council tax discounts you might be missing
You can't switch, but you can claim discounts worth hundreds. Here's everything you can apply for.
You could be paying less council tax without realising it. Single person discount (25% off) is the most common, but there are also exemptions for students, severe mental impairment discounts, band reductions for disabilities, and the chance your property is in the wrong band entirely. Collectively, these save eligible households hundreds of pounds a year.
Council tax isn't negotiable in the way energy or broadband is. You can't switch to a cheaper provider. But there are legitimate ways to pay less that most people don't know about.
Single Person Discount (25% Off)
If you're the only adult in your household, you get 25% off your council tax. This is the most widely claimed discount but plenty of people still miss it.
Who qualifies: You live alone, or you live with people who don't count as adults for council tax (full-time students, under-18s, people with severe mental impairment, live-in carers, some apprentices).
So a parent living with only their full-time student child qualifies. A couple where one partner has severe mental impairment qualifies.
How to claim: Contact your local council. It takes about 5 minutes. They may backdate it.
Typical saving: £350-£500 per year depending on your band and area.
Severe Mental Impairment Discount
This is the most underclaimed discount. If someone in your household has a severe mental impairment (including dementia, severe learning disabilities, or brain injury), they're "disregarded" for council tax purposes.
If the person with SMI lives alone: 100% exemption. If they live with one other adult: 25% discount (treated as single person). To qualify, a doctor needs to certify the impairment and the person must be entitled to a qualifying benefit (PIP, Attendance Allowance, ESA, etc.).
Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of eligible households don't claim. If you have a relative with dementia in their own home, check this immediately.
Student Exemption (100% Off)
A household where every resident is a full-time student pays no council tax at all. This covers student houses/flats, halls of residence, and couples where both partners are full-time students.
If one person in the house isn't a student, you don't get the exemption, but you might get the single person discount (the student is disregarded). You'll need a council tax exemption certificate from your university.
Empty Property Discounts
| Situation | Typical Discount |
|---|---|
| Empty and unfurnished (up to 6 months) | Some councils offer 100% discount |
| Empty and undergoing renovation | Up to 12 months discount (varies) |
| Empty long-term (2+ years) | Premium of up to 300% charged |
Rules vary hugely between councils. Some charge full rate from day one on empty properties.
Annexe Discount (50% Off)
If your property has a self-contained annexe occupied by a family member, the annexe gets a 50% council tax discount. This applies to granny flats and similar arrangements.
Disability Reduction
If someone in your household has a disability that means they need an extra room (wheelchair, medical equipment), a wheelchair-accessible bathroom, or extra space essential to their wellbeing, you can apply for a disability reduction. This moves your council tax down one band.
This is not means-tested. Income doesn't matter. Only the disability and property adaptation matter.
Wrong Band? Challenge It
Your council tax band was set based on property values in April 1991. If your home was banded incorrectly, you could be overpaying.
Signs your band might be wrong: Similar properties nearby are in a lower band, your home was extended after 1991 and banded based on the extension, or the property has been significantly altered in a way that reduces its value.
Use the VOA (Valuation Office Agency) website to see your band and compare with neighbours.
Warning: A challenge can go either way. Your band could go up, not just down. Check neighbouring properties first.
Council Tax Reduction (Low Income)
If you're on a low income, your council can reduce your bill. This replaced Council Tax Benefit in 2013. Every council runs its own scheme.
Typically you qualify if you're on Universal Credit, JSA, ESA, or Income Support, your savings are below a threshold (often £6,000-£16,000), and your income is below a certain level.
Reductions range from 25% to 100% depending on your council. Pensioners on low incomes can get up to 100% off.
Payment Spreading
Not a discount, but worth knowing: council tax is calculated annually but you only have to pay over 10 months (April to January). You can ask your council to spread payments over 12 months instead, reducing each monthly payment by about 17%.
Quick Checklist
| Discount | Who Qualifies | Typical Saving |
|---|---|---|
| Single person | Only adult in household | 25% (£350-£500 per year) |
| Severe mental impairment | Person with SMI + qualifying benefit | 25-100% |
| Student exemption | All residents are students | 100% |
| Disability reduction | Adapted property for disabled person | One band lower |
| Wrong band | Property incorrectly valued | Varies (potentially hundreds + backpay) |
| Council tax reduction | Low income households | 25-100% |
| Annexe discount | Family member in annexe | 50% on annexe |
If any of these apply to you, contact your council. Most can be applied online and many can be backdated.