You may be eligible for a discount or exemption if you or the people you live with are considered 'disregarded'. This means that they are not counted when we look at the number of people living in the property.

If all but one of the people you live with are disregarded, you will get a 25% discount.

If they are all disregarded you will get a 50% discount (in some cases the property will be exempt).

People are disregarded if they are:

Find out about disregards below

We can reduce the amount of council tax where we feel it is appropriate and will treat all applications on an individual basis. We will only award relief in exceptional circumstances and for a limited period.

You can claim discretionary relief even if you are already receiving Council Tax reduction but you must provide evidence of financial hardship or exceptional circumstances.

Apply by emailing ctax@medway.gov.uk

If someone in your home has diplomatic privilege and you’re the only other resident, you can claim a discount. If the diplomat is liable for the Council Tax, the property will be exempt.

You can't apply for a discount if the person liable for paying the council tax bill is a:

  • British citizen
  • British Dependent Territories citizen
  • British National citizen (overseas)
  • British Overseas citizen

We'll ask the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to verify diplomatic privilege or immunity.

Apply by emailing ctax@medway.gov.uk

If someone living in your home is a member of certain international headquarters and defence organisations or a dependant of that person you can claim a discount if you are the only other resident. If there are no other residents, the property will be exempt.

The person must not be a British citizen, a British Dependent Territories citizen, a British National (Overseas) or a British Overseas citizen, a British protected person or a permanent resident in the UK.

Apply by emailing ctax@medway.gov.uk

Members of religious communities with no income (other than an occupational pension from previous employment) will be disregarded. They will be disregarded if they depend on the community to meet their needs.

Email ctax@medway.gov.uk for more details.

If someone living in your home is a member of a visiting force or a dependent of that person, you can claim a discount if you are the only other resident.

If the member of a visiting force is liable for the Council Tax the property will be exempt.

Apply by emailing ctax@medway.gov.uk

To be disregarded, the property must not have self-contained units and must be used for those with no fixed address.

Email ctax@medway.gov.uk for more details.

If someone in your property goes to prison or is detained in hospital and you are now the only person living in the property you can claim a discount. If the property is now empty you may be able to claim an exemption.

This includes people who are in prison, detained or in custody under the armed forces regulations or detained under the Immigration of Mental Health Acts.

You can’t claim a discount if the person is in prison for non-payment of the council tax or a fine.

Apply for a person in detention discount

Annexes occupied by a dependent relative

An annexe is exempt if it is occupied by a dependent relative of the person living in the other property.

A dependent relative is a person who is:

  • at least 65 years of age
  • severely mentally impaired
  • disabled

Apply for an occupied property exemption

Annexes occupied by a relative

If an annexe is occupied by a relative of the person living in the other property, a 50% discount can be claimed. Email ctax@medway.gov.uk

Unoccupied annexes

You may also be eligible for a reduction or exemption if you have an unoccupied annexe.

More about unoccupied annexes.

Reductions and exemptions

We have Council Tax reductions and exemptions that could apply to you.

Find out about reductions and exemptions below

If you're 18 years of age or over and live alone you can get 25% off your council tax bill.

Find out about single occupancy reduction

If you’re on a low income, you may be eligible for a Council Tax reduction to reduce your council tax bill.

Find out about Council Tax reduction

If you’re a student or a young person under 20 you may be eligible for a student council tax reduction or exemption.

Find out about student Council Tax reductions

Email ctax@medway.gov.uk to find out about exceptions and reductions for trustees in bankruptcy.

If a property is empty, you may be able to get a Council Tax exemption.

Find out about empty property reductions

Email ctax@medway.gov.uk to find out about charity owned properties.