Discount - Council Tax

Information about the amount of Council Tax you have to pay and discounts available.

The amount of Council Tax you have to pay depends on

• The valuation band your property is in
• The number of adults (18 and over) living in your property

When we work out your Council Tax we assume two adults live in most properties.

Single Person Discount

If you are the only adult in your home (aged 18 or over), we can give you a single person discount of 25%.

We may need to decide where your main home is (e.g. if you work away from home or have more than one home).

More information on applying for, cancelling or the review of single person discount.

Other Discounts

Some adults do not have to pay Council Tax. We will not count them when we decide how many adults live in the home.

The following people are not counted when working out Council Tax.

• A Student, Student Nurse, Apprentice or Youth Training Trainee
• A Non-British husband or wife or dependant of a Student (who is prevented by the terms of her / his leave to enter or remain in the UK from working or claiming benefit.
• A person under 20 who is still at school or has just left school
• A person who still has Child Benefit paid for them
• A person who is a Foreign Language Assistant
• A person who is severely mentally impaired
• A Carer (see below)
• A person in prison or held somewhere else by the authorities
• A person who is in hospital (for more than 52 weeks) or a care home
• A Member of a Religious Community
• A person who lives in a hostel for the homeless or a night shelter
• A Member (or dependant) of International Headquarters and defence organisations
• A Member (or dependant) of a Visiting Force; or
• A person with diplomatic immunity or privileges.

If your property is unoccupied or is a second home:

• Where a property has been empty and unfurnished for more than six months the full council tax charge will be due.
• Those who own a second home in Solihull will be entitled to a discount of 10%. This covers any dwellings being used as a second home or any furnished property that is not being lived in.
• Those with job related second homes provided by an employer for reasons of employment may still be eligible for a 50% discount if certain conditions apply.  More information on Job Related Second Home Discount.

In certain situations a full Council Tax exemption may be awarded on an unoccupied property. More information on properties that may be entitled to a Council Tax exemption.

Carers

You may be able to claim a discount if you share your home with someone who is entitled to certain allowances or disablement pension and you care for them for more than 35 hours a week.

We cannot award a discount to someone who cares for their husband, wife or partner or a son or daughter who is under 18.

Carer workers

You may be entitled to claim a discount if you provide care or support on behalf of a local authority, a charity, the Government, or you are employed by the person being cared for.

You must live in premises provided for you and work for at least 24 hours a week and earn no more than £36 a week before deductions.

Contact Details

For further advice about your benefits, please contact Income and Awards on 0121 704 8100 or email council.tax@solihull.gov.uk