Guides › Rent and Deposits › Council Tax Single Person Discount
Council Tax Single Person Discount
You get 25% off your council tax bill if you live on your own, or if everyone else in your home is "disregarded", such as full-time students or people under 18. If everyone is disregarded, the discount is 50%. You must apply to your council for it.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Discounts
Who Gets It
You get 25% off if you pay council tax and either live on your own or everyone else is disregarded; 50% off if everyone living in your household is disregarded. Disregarded people include under-18s, some apprentices, 18 and 19-year-olds in full-time education, full-time students, student nurses, foreign language assistants, people who are severely mentally impaired, live-in carers and diplomats. You need to apply even if you are disregarded. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- ApplyAsk your council for the discountIt is not automatic
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Check who lives with you and whether they are disregarded.
Step 2 of 4
Apply to your council.
Step 3 of 4
Tell the council if someone moves in.
Step 4 of 4
Ask whether it can be backdated to when you became eligible.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Local Council
Apply for the discount here.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Telling the council promptly when your household changes avoids a backdated bill.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay Checked 13 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026