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Council tax

1.Council tax reductions

On this page:

    Ways to reduce your council tax bill

    If you or someone in your household meet certain conditions, your council tax bill may be reduced - we can apply a discount, disregard, or exemption. Reductions can be as much as 100 per cent, which means you would not have to pay council tax.

    You can also backdate a reduction, exemption, or disregard if it wasn’t applied at the right time, as long as you can prove you met the criteria then.

    Directory of discounts and exemptions

    Use our directory of discounts and exemptions to find out if you can save on your council tax.

    Search the directory

    Please note:
    We regularly check to make sure you still qualify for a reduction. If you get a review form, please fill it in and return it within 21 days. If we don’t hear from you, your reduction may be removed and you could get a penalty charge.

    Key council tax reductions

    Below are four council tax reductions commonly applied for:

    Check our directory of discounts and exemptions for more information and to find out if you are eligible for savings on your council tax.

    What are disregards, exemptions, and discounts?

    We know that council tax can be confusing and sometimes the language used when explaining it can seem complicated. There are three types of council tax reductions - disregards, exemptions, and discounts.

    Please note: We carry out regular reviews to make sure you are still entitled to any council tax reduction you are awarded. If you receive a review form please fill it in and send it back to us within 21 days. If you do not provide the required information we may remove any reduction and issue a penalty charge.

    Easy guide to council tax

    The government have produced a guide to how the council tax system operates in England, including an explanation of the range of reductions available.

    Easy guide to council tax on GOV.UK

    Council tax support

    If you have a low income, you might be eligible for help with paying your council tax. This is called council tax support. It is different from a discount or exemption.

    Council tax support considers several key factors to determine your eligibility and the level of support you may receive. These factors vary depending on whether you are of working age or pension age.

    Working age households

    The amount of support you can receive depends on your weekly income, the number of people living with you, and whether they are working.

    For working-age households, council tax support is based on an income-banded scheme. This means that your total income is assessed and placed into a band, which determines the level of support you are entitled to.

    Pensioner households

    The amount of support you can receive depends on your weekly income, savings and household circumstances.

    For pension-age households, council tax support is means-tested, and a discount of up to 100 percent may be available.

    More information about the differences between the working-age and pension-age schemes - including eligibility criteria and how to apply - can be found using the link below.

    Council tax support - more information

    On a low income or struggling to pay

    If you are having difficulties paying your council tax bill you can apply for a discretionary discount.

    As there are no set conditions for awarding a reduction, we consider each application individually.

    We will need a range of information from you to make a decision, including:

    • why you are unable to pay your council tax bill
    • household income and expenditure
    • savings and investments
    • if you have received debt or benefits advice.
    Apply for a council tax discretionary discount

    For more information, please download our council tax discretionary reduction policy.

    Council tax discretionary reduction policy 2025-26 (pdf 259kb)

    Your Money team

    We have a helpful team of benefit and debt advisers who offer free, confidential advice about reductions to council tax, and any benefits which you might be able to claim.

    For more information visit the Your Money team page. To make an appointment with the team:

    Email yourmoney@eastriding.gov.uk
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    Single person discount

    A 25 per cent single person discount is available when you are the only person aged 18 or over in your household.

    Apply for a single person discount

    Other discounts and exemptions for single occupiers

    Severe mental impairment (SMI)

    If you have a permanent severe mental impairment you can get a reduction on your council tax bill:

    • if you live alone you may be entitled to 100 per cent discount
    • if you live with one qualifying carer, you may be entitled to 50 per cent discount
    • if you live with one other person over the age of 18, you may be entitled to a 25 per cent discount.

    Apply for a severe mental impairment reduction

    Other discounts and exemptions for people with disabilities

    Students

    If you are aged 18 or over, and studying full-time at university, college, or school, there are several options for reducing your council tax, depending on your circumstances:

    Discounts and exemptions for students and student properties

    Notify us of a death

    If you have lost a friend, loved one, or family member, please accept our sincere condolences. If you need to tell us that someone has died, please fill in the form below.

    You will need:

    • your details (as the person reporting the death)

    • the full name and address of the person who has died

    • their council tax account and property reference number (these can be found on a council tax bill)

    • the date they died

    • whether they owned or rented their home

    • whether the home is still lived in or has furniture in it (if someone still lives there, we will need their name and age)

    • the name, address and contact details of the person dealing with their estate (this is usually a family member, friend, executor of the will, or a solicitor).

    Notify us of a death

    Moving into care

    If you have to leave your home to move into residential care on a permanent basis, your empty property is exempt (not liable for council tax).

    Apply for a property left empty by someone moving into residential care

    Other care-related discounts and exemptions

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    Disregards

    Council tax bills are based on at least two adults living in a home. But some people don’t count (they are ‘disregarded’). This means you may get a reduction on your bill. The amount you save depends on how many people in your home are disregarded. You could get up to 50 per cent off.

    Some examples of council tax disregards include:

    • someone living in a care home, nursing home, or hospice
    • a carer who looks after someone for 35+ hours a week and lives in the same home
    • someone who is in prison or on remand.

    A full list of council tax disregards is available in the guide below, or search our directory:

    Council tax disregard guide (pdf 73kb)

    Exemptions

    Some properties don’t have to pay council tax. This is called an exemption. It can apply to both occupied and unoccupied properties, depending on the situation.

    Some examples include:

    • a ‘granny flat’ annexe where a dependent relative, such as an elderly parent, lives
    • a property where all the residents are full-time students
    • a home that has been repossessed by a mortgage company.

    Directory of discounts and exemptions - all exemptions

    Discounts

    You may get a council tax discount if you live:

    Check the guide below for the full list of available discounts, or search our directory.

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