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If only one adult lives in a property as their main home the bill is reduced by a quarter (25%). If the property is no-one’s home, the bill is reduced by 10%. This applies to empty properties and second homes.
The following people are not included when counting the number of adults who live in a property:
- Full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and Youth Training trainees
- Patients living in hospital
- People being looked after permanently in care homes
- People who are severely mentally impaired
- People staying in certain hostels or night shelters
- 18 and 19 year olds who are at, or have just left school
- Care workers working for low pay, usually for charities
- People caring for a disabled person (excluding partners or a child under 18)
- Members of visiting forces and certain international institutions
- Monks or nuns
- People in prison (except those in prison for not paying Council Tax or a fine)
Single person discount application form
NEW SCHEME to Combat Fraud
25% Single Person Discount Review
We are embarking on a new venture which will help identify fraudulently claimed discount among council tax payers who are attempting to cheat the system.
Each year local authorities nationwide receive a high volume of applications for Sole Occupier Discount. Sadly some of these applications are not genuine and just like benefit cheats; these people are claiming reductions in their bills falsely.
What's happening?
Letters will shortly be issued as part of a review of all council tax discounts and you may be asked to confirm your current details regarding your occupancy of your property. Please return these letters promptly in the prepaid envelope provided. In cases where data has been received which may indicate potential multiple occupancy then further investigations will be made.
Some fraud of course, will be unintentional and we will consider each case based on its own merits. In some cases, the mismatch may be due to someone moving out recently or if there is a carer resident for example.
In these cases, the records will be corrected on receipt of the information. Those who choose not to declare the change will be put under investigation and their discount revoked if necessary.
Why is this being done?
These people who are taking advantage of the system are also taking advantage of our genuine council tax payers. This is because when the council tax charge is set, the council has to take into account the reduction in the amount due because of people claiming discounts or exemptions.
We value our residents and understand that you expect value for money in the service we provide. We want you to know we are doing all we can to stamp out fraud in the district.
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