Saturday, 6 September 2008
The single person's discount is a discount applicable to persons who live alone. If there is only one adult resident (i.e. over 18) in the property a 25% discount can be granted. However, if there is more than one adult resident in the property, regardless of the relationship between them, the 25% discount cannot be granted. You may however, still be eligible for a reduction because only one person from a property is counted as a resident for Council Tax purposes. For more information see "What are the qualifying criteria for discounts?".
The amount of Council Tax you pay cannot be reduced because you are not satisfied with the services provided. If you are unhappy with any service you need to contact the department who provides the service. They will investigate the matter for you.
The Regulations for Council Tax state that the owner of a property is liable for payment of Council Tax if no-one is resident in the property. The owner can also be liable for Council Tax if other people are resident under certain circumstances. Additionally, even though you do not stay in Doncaster every night, if you work away, your home in Doncaster may be classed as your "sole or main residence". Everyone has to have a sole or main residence and, in determining this, we will take many factors into account, including security of tenure, the length of time spent at each address, the reason for your absence etc. Council Tax is levied to pay for many services, including the fire service and the police etc. which will still be provided to the property even though you do not live there permanently.
No - council tax is collected in the Doncaster area in order to pay for the services provided throughout the borough as a whole. Council Tax is levied to pay for many services, including the fire service and the police etc. which will be provided to the property even if you feel you do not need them. Even if you do not think you use or benefit from any services, it is not possible for a reduction to be given in your Council Tax.
If a reduction is given you will pay Council Tax at one band lower than your actual valuation band. From April 2000 taxpayers who live in a Band A property who qualify will receive a reduction equivalent to 1/9 of the Band D charge for their area. To qualify for a reduction a person who is substantially and permanently disabled must live in the dwelling. In addition, there needs to be one of the following features, required for meeting the needs of this person:
a) A room (not bathroom or kitchen) predominantly used by the disabled resident and which is required to meet their needs.
b) A second bathroom or kitchen which is required to meet their needs.
c) Enough space to allow wheelchair use indoors, and the disabled person must need to use a wheelchair indoors.
The person liable to pay the council tax (or someone on their behalf) needs to apply for the reduction.
If you are getting a single person discount you will lose this discount when your son becomes 18. If there are already 2 or more adults in the property your son becoming 18 will not affect your tax unless a disregarded discount has been granted on your account and as a result of your child becoming 18 the number of regarded residents is still below 2. For further information please see "What are the qualifying criteria for discounts". If you are the only adult in the property other than your son and your son earns below £186 per week you may be entitled to a reduction under the 'Second Adult Rebate' scheme. You will need to apply for this reduction.
- If he is on Income Support or income based Job Seeker's Allowance
If you are the only adult in the property other than your son when your son becomes 18, you will be able to apply for second adult rebate. Under this scheme you will be entitled to a 25% reduction in your council tax whilst your son is claiming Income Support or income based Job Seeker's Allowance.
- If he is still in full-time education
Some people are not counted when we decide how many people aged 18 and over live at an address. One of these classes of people is students. If your son is a full time student in higher education he must be attending for at least 24 weeks per year and be studying for at least 21 hours per week. You will need to fill out an application form and also provide a certificate from your son's college.
If your son is under 20 and still at school he will not be regarded as a resident for Council Tax purposes. You will also need to apply for this discount.
If you think you qualify for a discount, you will need to contact the council tax Customer Services department giving the reasons why you should receive a discount. We may be able to take the information over the telephone. Alternatively, we will send you an application form, if necessary. In some cases you will be asked to provide verification to support your claim. You will be told what information will be required.
The Application Forms to apply for a discount can be downloaded from the following page Council Tax Discount Forms, which can be found in the left hand menu.
Old age pensioners do not get a reduction as such. There is an income based Council Tax Benefit scheme which anyone can apply for. Once you have provided your income details and details of your household, we will be able to assess if you are able to get any help towards your Council Tax.
