Reducing your council tax

Exemptions

Some properties are exempt from Council Tax. These include those occupied soley by full-time students, people under 18 years of age or people who are severely mentally impaired.

Exemptions also apply to other vacant properties which:

• are unfurnished - property is exempt for up to 6 months from the date it first became unfurnished. This is not affected by change of ownership and may be subject to inspection
• are owned and were last occupied by a charity - exempt for up to 6 months
• need or are undergoing, structural alteration or major repair - exempt for up to 12 months from the date the property required structural alteration
• are left empty by someone who has gone into prison, or who has moved to receive personal care in a hospital or home
• are left empty by someone who has moved in order to provide personal care to another person
• are waiting for probate or letters of administration to be granted - and for up to 6 months after
• have been repossessed
• are the responsibility of a bankrupt's trustee
• are empty because occupation is forbidden by law
• are waiting to be occupied by a minister of religion
• are owned by a student studying elsewhere, who last lived in the property as his or her main home

This list is not exhaustive of the exemptions available and for further details please contact Customer Services on 020 8871 8081.