The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are 2 adults (aged 18 or over) living in a dwelling. If only one adult lives in the property the council tax bill is reduced by 25%; this is known as Single Persons Discount. You can apply now by completing the Single Persons Discount Application form.

If there are no adults living in the property and you would like to apply for an exemption please contact the Council Tax section as detailed below.

In addition to this, there are certain groups of residents who can be disregarded altogether when counting the number of adults in the household. These are:-

• Prisoners
• People who are severely mentally impaired
• 18 & 19 year olds who are still entitled to child benefit
• Students, apprentices and people on Youth Training Schemes
• People whose main residence is in hospital
• People whose main residence is in a Residential Care home and receiving care
• People living in hostels or night-shelters
• Carers
• Members of religious communities (i.e. monks and nuns)
• School and college leavers
• Members (and dependants) of Visiting forces or International headquarters

Empty and second homes

Council tax on empty or second homes in the Cannock Chase area will be payable as follows:

Annexes

From the 1st April 2014, a 50% reduction is available for people living in annexes provided they are related to the person liable to pay Council tax of the main residence.  A discount is also available for people living in properties with an annexe which is unoccupied as the annexe is being used as part of the main residence.

If you need further information on any of the discounts or disregards above, please contact us on 01543 464285 or write to:

Local Taxation and Benefits Section
Cannock Chase District Council
PO Box 28
Civic Centre
Beecroft Road
Cannock
Staffs
WS11 1BG

or alternatively complete on online enquiry form Council Tax Online Forms | Cannock Chase District Council (cannockchasedc.gov.uk)

Examples

• For a property occupied by 2 adults there will be a 100% Council Tax charge.
• For a property occupied by 1 adult there will be 75% Council Tax charge. (25% discount)
• For a property that is unfurnished and where there are no adults resident there will be a 100% Council Tax charge, after 28 days.  In some circumstances there might be no bill to pay if the property falls into an exemption class.  If the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished after 2 years, a 100% premium will be added to the original charge.  After the property has been empty for 5 years this premium increases to 200%.
• For a property occupied by 2 adults, one of whom is disregarded, there will be a bill of 75% of the Council Tax charge. (25% discount)
• A property occupied by 3 adults, one of whom is disregarded, will attract no discount. There will be 100% Council Tax charge.

If you, or someone who lives with you, need an additional room, or additional facilities i.e. an extra bathroom or kitchen, or an extra space in your property to meet special needs arising from a disability, you may be entitled to a reduced council tax bill.

Additional Room

This would include a room (not a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) which is used mainly by the person. This could be an extension or extra room used for storing dialysis equipment, wheelchairs etc.

Additional Facilities

A second kitchen, or bathroom for the use of the person.

Space for wheelchair use

If there is sufficient floor space for a disabled resident to use a wheelchair (the wheelchair must be required by the disabled person for day to day living).

Before the reduction can be given the Council will have to decide whether:

1. There is a resident with a disability who would find it impossible or extremely difficult to live in the dwelling without the extra feature.
2. His or her health would suffer, because of the nature of the disability, if the extra feature was not available.

If you are entitled to the reduction the Council Tax bill maybe reduced to that of a property in the band immediately below yours. If your home is in Band A your bill will be calculated on 5/9 fraction instead of 6/9

If you wish to apply for a reduction please contact the Council Tax helpline on (01543 464285).

Alternatively complete on online enquiry form Council Tax Online Forms | Cannock Chase District Council (cannockchasedc.gov.uk)

Or write to us at:

Local Taxation and Benefits Services
Civic Centre
Beecroft Road
Cannock
WS11 1BG

Anyone who has a liability to pay Council Tax can apply for Local Council Tax Reduction, even if you already get a discount on your Council Tax i.e. if you live alone.

You can claim even if you work and have a low income.

In some cases, even though you have a liability to pay council tax you would not be entitled to Local Council Tax Reduction. For example when someone:
•    Has income which is too high to qualify
•    Is of working age and has capital or savings in excess of £6,000 (pensionable age level is £16,000)

To check if you are eligible you can use an independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator at Benefits calculators - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

To make a claim please visit our Online Forms page

Localised Council Tax Support factsheet .pdf (116.05 KB)