The full Council Tax bill assumes there are at least two adults
living in a dwelling. If only one adult lives in the dwelling
(as their main home) a discount of 25% will apply.
Certain people are not counted when looking at the number of
people living in a dwelling. A list of these people is set out
below. As an example, if there were three people living in a
dwelling and two were students, a 25% discount would apply because
the two students would not be counted leaving only one
person. If all people living in a dwelling are not counted
then a 50% discount would apply.
People not counted for discount purposes:
- adults who are 18 or 19 years old and at, or have just left
school;
- full-time students, student nurses, apprentices or a
youth training trainees;
- adults who are severely mentally impaired;
- patients living in a hospital permanently;
- persons being looked after in a care home;
- careworkers working for low pay (usually for a charity);
- persons caring for someone with a disability who is not their
spouse, civil partner or partner or a child under 18;
- members of a visiting force or certain international
institutions;
- persons staying in certain hostels or night shelters;
- persons in prison (but not people in prison for not paying
Council Tax or a fine);
- members of certain religious communities (monks and nuns);
or
- foreign diplomats.
Where your property is a second home you will qualify for a 10%
discount unless the dwelling is a caravan, mooring occupied by a
boat, or the liable person has to live in job-related
accommodation as part of their job. In these cases a 50%
discount would apply.
Applying for a discount
If you consider you may be entitled to a discount from your bill
please contact us on 01394 444855 or email
council.tax@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk for
an application form or
complete our online form.
If we decide that you are not entitled to a discount and you
believe you are you have the right of appeal. Firstly you must
write to us stating the reasons why you think you should
be granted a discount. We then have two months to
reply. If you still disagree with our decision then have
the right to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. In
the meantime you should continue to pay your bill.
If you are granted a discount which you realise should not apply
you must contact us immediately otherwise you may face a
penalty.