Council Tax Discounts
The full council tax bill assumes that there are two adults
living in a dwelling.
Discounts are awarded in various circumstances and the
available percentages and discount reasons are shown below. Any
discount is shown on the front of your bill.
Council Tax Discount Percentages
25% There is only one resident in the
property.
25% There is more than one resident but only one
is counted for discount purposes.
50% There is more than one resident but no one is
counted for discount purposes.
50% There is one resident who is not counted
for discount purposes.
50% The property is furnished but cannot be
occupied for at least 28 days in the year due to a planning
condition.
50% The property is furnished but the occupier is
required to live elsewhere in tied accommodation.
50% The council tax bill is for a boat mooring or
a caravan pitch.
50% The property is a beach hut or beach chalet
in Band A and in the vicinity of a beach.
100% Properties which are unoccupied and unfurnished for
up to 6 months.
100% Properties which require or are undergoing
structural alteration or major repair works to render them
habitable for a maximum period of 12
months.
Where discount has been given on the front of your bill and
you have reason to believe that:
- the discount should not have been given,
- the discount should have been given but at a lower
amount,
- there has been a change in circumstances since the bill
has been issued that means the discount is now
incorrect,
You are required to notify the Council within 21
days.
Failure to do so could result in a penalty of £50
being imposed
When counting the number of people who live at an address,
some people are disregarded – that is, they are not counted.
If after disregarding a person, the number of resident adults is
only one, a 25% discount is given. If all the residents are
disregarded, a 50% discount is given. The types of people who
are not counted are listed below:
- full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and Youth
Training trainees
- patients whose permanent sole or main residence is in hospital
or who are being looked after in care homes
- people who are severely mentally impaired
- people staying in certain hostels or night
shelters
- 18-19 year olds who are at or have just left
school
- careworkers working for low pay, usually for
charities
- people caring for someone with a disability who is not a
spouse, partner, or child under 18
- members of visiting forces and certain international
institutions
- members of religious communities (monks and
nuns)
- people in prison (except those in prison for non-payment
of council tax or a fine)
If you think you may be entitled to a discount and this is not
shown on your bill, you should contact the Council.
If your bill indicates that a discount has been allowed, you
must tell the Council of any change of circumstances which affects
your entitlement. If you fail to do so you may
be required to pay a penalty.
This information is for guidance only. Please
contact us for more information before you make any decision based
on the information we have given here.
Local Taxation Team
South Lakeland House
Lowther Street
Kendal
Cumbria LA9 4UD
0845 050 4434
Council Tax Premium
The policy guidelines for exception to the council tax premium
were agreed by the full Council 26 March 2013. A copy of the
report and the application form can be downloaded below. The
application form should be printed, completed and returned with
supporting documentary evidence to the Local Taxation Team, South
Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4DQ.
Council Tax Reduction Scheme
From 1st April 2013 Council
Tax Benefit has been abolished.
Council tax benefit has been abolished.
From 1st April 2013 the Council’s benefit team
administers a localised Council Tax Reduction Scheme, this is the
Government’s
Default Scheme part of which is also incorporated in
the
Prescribed Scheme. This will ensure that
people in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers
Allowance, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance and
Guarantee Pension Credit will normally pay no council tax and
that other people on low incomes will have their bills reduced.
Please note that the Council’s
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction Scheme
leaflet includes up to figures for any elements of the
calculation that have been subject to change (for example
Applicable Amounts and non-dependant deductions).
For more information or to request an
application form please contact the benefits team:
South Lakeland House
Lowther Street
Kendal
Cumbria LA9 4UD
01539 797757
benefits@southlakeland.gov.uk