• The Council Tax is based on the assumption that there are two adults living in the property
• An adult is somebody aged 18 years or more
• Although there is no increase in the level of Council Tax if there are more than two adults living in the property, a reduction may be granted if there is only one adult
• The amount of the reduction is 25% of the full Council Tax liability
• If there is only one person living in the property who is 18 years or older and any number of children under the age of 18, then living alone relief (single resident discount) can still be awarded
• If you qualify for the living alone relief and you also can be disregarded, then a 50% reduction can be granted. (See below for more about being disregarded)

If, after reading this page, you feel that you qualify, please fill in the application form at the bottom of this page.

Do I qualify for Living Alone Relief if another works away from home?

Government rules say that you only count towards the Council Tax bill at your main residence. Some people have two (or more) homes, possibly one abroad. In this case we will take a number of factors into account to decide the main residence, including:

• Where you have intention to return
• Which property you own / hold on lease
• Which property is the marital home
• Where you keep most posessions

For example, in the case of a couple, if one partner worked away, it is unlikely that a living alone relief would apply due to the 'main residence rule'. This would also be true if the partner worked abroad.

Getting the 25% reduction when there is more than one adult in the property? (Discount Disregard)

There are circumstances when a 25% reduction in the Council Tax can be granted if there is more than one adult living in the property.

This can happen when certain members of the household can not be counted - disregarded - in determining the number of adults in a property and it leaves only one adult. For example, if there are three adults and one is disregarded as a student, then no relief is granted.

There are a number of different types of people who would fall into this category; students, Project 2000 nurses, student nurses, apprentices and YT trainees, care workers and carers, severely mentally impaired people.

If you feel you fall into one of these categories, or require further information, then please ask for one of the following leaflets; Student Discount, Carers Discount, Severely Mentally impaired Discount, or Other Discounts. Some of these are available for download on our Council Tax Discount page.

Contact Details
South Derbyshire District Council
Revenue Services
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH

Telephone: 01283 595971
Fax: 01283 595857
Email: revenues@south-derbys.gov.uk

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