Disregarded People

Certain people are not counted when looking at the number of adults who are resident. For example, if two people occupy and one person falls into one of the disregard categories listed below (such as being a full time student), the bill will be calculated as if one person is in occupation.

If you are the person liable for the payment of Council Tax, but get a discount or are not counted, you will still be liable for paying the reduced Council Tax.

Apprentices

You are employed to learn a trade and undertaking a qualification recognised by the NCVQ. You must be paid a maximum of £195 per week, before tax, and expect to earn substantially more when qualified.

Youth Training Trainees

You are under 25 years of age, and receiving training recognised under the Youth Training Scheme.

Full time Students

You are regarded as a full time student for Council Tax purposes if:

You are attending a university or college course, or on a distance learning course which lasts for at least one academic year, takes at least 24 weeks a year, and involves at least 21 hours allocated study time per week during term time.
You are under the age of 20 years and studying for more than three months, for at least 12 hours per week for any qualification up to 'A' level, ONC or OND standard.
Student Nurses studying academic courses at universities or who are on Project 2000 courses are classed as students for Council Tax purposes.

The period of the student's course runs from the day the course begins until it is completed (the end of the exams) or the student leaves the course uncompleted.

Recent changes to Council Tax rules and legislation regarding full-time students

To qualify for a discount/exemption from Council Tax as a full time student you had to be studying/attending an educational establishment (college/university)within the UK, and provide a student certificate to confirm the course details.

Now, if you are studying full time (for at least 24 weeks a year and for more than 21 hours per week), at college/university or distance learning with a designated establishment in the UK or within the European Union you may qualify for a council tax discount/exemption.

You still need to supply evidence or confirmation of the length of time of your course and the expected study hours by supplying a student certificate or other documentation. This change to legislation provides some flexibility in awarding discounts/exemptions relating to full-time students who are distance learning anywhere within the European Union, including the UK.

Please contact the Council Tax helpline for further information on 01909 533234.

Student Nurses

You will be counted as a Student Nurse if you are on a course leading to registration on any of Parts one to six, or eight on the register. Only Student Nurses studying for first inclusion on the register are not counted.

Resident hospital patients

You will not be counted if you are a patient in a hospital, which is your only main home. If you are in hospital for a short time and have a home elsewhere, you will still be liable for Council Tax at your home.

Resident in a residential care home, nursing home, mental nursing home and hostels providing a high level of care

You will not be counted if you live, and are receiving care, in one of these places, so long as it is your only main home.

People who are severely mentally impaired

For Council Tax purposes, a person is regarded as being severely mentally impaired if they suffer, for whatever reason, from severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning which appears to be permanent.

In order to receive the discount, the person must gain a certificate from their doctor confirming their impairment.
The person must also be entitled to one of a number of qualifying Benefits.

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People staying in certain hostels and night shelters

A person whose main or only residence is a short stay hostel or night shelter, providing communal accommodation for persons with no fixed abode.

Members of religious communities

You must depend on the community for all your material needs and have no personal income or capital.

Only members whose main work is prayer, contemplation, the relief of suffering, education or a combination of the above are counted.

Over 18, but your parent/guardian still entitled to receive Child Benefit

You will not be counted if you are 18 or 19 years old and in full time education, other than higher education.

You will not be counted if you left school after 30 April until 1 November of the same year.

Carers

You will not be counted if you live with, and care for someone, with a disability who is receiving one of certain allowances or a disablement pension.

You must be providing care for 35 hours per week on average. Persons caring for a husband or wife, or living as a husband or wife, or a child under 18 years cannot receive this discount.

Somebody who cares for an elderly person or a person with a disability in return for a payment of up to £44 per week, can also receive a discount.

People in prison

Prisoners who are on remand or are in prison are not counted, except if they are in Prison for non payment of a fine or Council Tax.

Foreign language assistants

You will need to be registered with the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges and, for the purposes of Council Tax, will be treated as a student.

Members of Visiting Forces, International HQ's and Defence Organisations

You will not be counted if you are a member of one of the above, or a dependant.