Search

Vacant property Council Tax discounts

We offer various exemptions or discounts from Council Tax for:

View Council Tax privacy notice (PDF 152KB).

Property undergoing major repair

If your property is unoccupied and undergoing major repair work to render it habitable or is undergoing (or has undergone) structural alteration, it may be exempt from Council Tax for a period up to 12 months from the last date of occupation, provided that the last date of occupation was for a period of 3 months or more.

We only award an exemption from the date the repairs or structural alterations commenced.

If you have recently bought your property, and it is unoccupied and undergoing or requires major work to render it habitable, we may apply a 50% discount for a period of up to 6 months.

To apply please complete the online application form. 

Apply for altered or repaired property exemption

Vacant agricultural property

When an agricultural property becomes vacant, under certain circumstances, it may be exempt from Council Tax.

To qualify for exemption the property must:

  • be unoccupied and unfurnished
  • be situated on land used for agricultural or pastoral purposes
  • when last occupied the occupant must have been employed as an agricultural worker

To apply for an exemption, please complete the application for agricultural property exemption form (PDF 190KB).

Repossessed property

When a property has been repossessed, the defaulting borrower(s) remain responsible for the Council Tax until such time as the property is sold. However, exemption may be awarded from the date the property has been repossessed.

You will be required to provide evidence to show this such as the date of repossession and the name and address of the company who have repossessed the property.

To apply please complete the online application form. 

Apply for vacant property exemption or discount

Property vacant for care purposes

If your property is left unoccupied because you are caring for someone in their home or you have gone to someone's home to be cared for you may be exempt from Council Tax.

To qualify for a reduction you must leave your home to either go to someone's home:

  • to be cared for as a patient (patient goes to carer's home)
  • to care for them as a carer (carer goes to patient's home)

Care is required due to:

  • age (elderly person)
  • illness
  • past or present alcohol abuse
  • past or present mental disorder

To apply for an exemption for care purposes, please complete the online application form. 

Apply for vacant property exemption or discount

Vacant caravan

Caravans (touring and static) are included on the Council Tax valuation list by the assessor where they are considered to be a person's sole or main residence.

When a caravan becomes unoccupied, 100% exemption from Council Tax may be awarded. An award can be for up to 6 months.

To apply for an exemption for vacant caravan, please complete the online application form. 

Apply for vacant property exemption or discount

Household member in prison

If a member of your household is in prison, an exemption or discount may be applicable.

Any person(s) on remand or awaiting sentencing, and for those who are in prison for non-payment of a fine, are not eligible for a reduction.

To apply for an exemption or discount if you are currently in prison contact our Council Tax team who will help with your enquiry.