There are certain types of property (empty or occupied) for which you don't need to pay any council tax. They are known as 'exemptions' and will fall into one of the categories below.

Some exemptions have a limited length of time.

If your bill shows that an exemption has been granted for your property, you must tell us if you are no longer entitled to it.

• Apply for an exemption for your property

Exemption categories

Unoccupied properties

• Property is owned by a charity and was last used by the charity until it became vacant (for a period of up to 6 months only)
• Property has been left empty by someone who has gone to prison
• Property has been left empty by someone living in a hospital/care home
• Property has been left unoccupied due to a death and you are awaiting grant of probate or letters of administration. In some circumstances, it may also continue to be exempt for up to six months after grant of probate or letters of administration, but will not apply where someone else holds a freehold or leasehold interest in the property
• Property cannot be occupied by law
• Property is awaiting occupation by a minister of religion
• Property has been left empty by someone who has moved out to receive personal care
• Property is left empty by someone who has moved out to provide personal care to another person
• Property is owned by a student and last occupied by that student
• Property has been repossessed by Mortgagee (bank/building society)
• Property has been left empty by a bankrupt person
• An empty caravan, pitchboat or mooring
• Property is an unoccupied annexe to an occupied dwelling

Occupied properties

• Properties which are Students' Halls of Residence
• All the residents in the property are students (See also "Single person discount for people who live alone or with disregarded people")
• Properties are UK Armed Forces accommodation
• Properties are Visiting Forces accommodation
• All residents in the property are under 18 years of age
• All residents in the property have severe mental impairment [PDF, 0.1MB] (see also single person discount for people who live alone or with disregarded people)
• Properties are the main residence of a person with diplomatic privilege or immunity
• Property is an occupied annexe to an occupied dwelling. The annexe must be the main residence of a dependent relative.

Appeals

You can appeal if you disagree with any decision relating to liability, discounts, reductions or exemptions.