Havant Borough Council > Housing > Council Tax

While only one person lives in a property they will be entitled to a 25% discount on their bill. To claim this reduction please complete and return the following application form.

Single Occupancy Discount>>

For furnished properties which are no one's main home, the liable person will receive a 10% discount. Furnished properties that are no one's sole or main residence but are subject to planning restrictions/conditions and properties provided for reasons of employment will receive a 50% discount.

Discounts can also apply to people such as students, apprentices, student nurses, Youth Training trainees, school leavers, certain carers and careworkers, persons in detention and severely mentally impaired people. Such discounts however, can only be given where there are not two or more other adults also resident at the property. If you think you may be entitled to a discount not already allowed, you should contact the Council as shown at the head of the bill.

Long Term Empty Properties

The Local Government Act 2003 allows local authorities to reduce or remove completely the amount of discount for long term empty homes (those which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished). In accordance with the provisions of Act, Havant Borough Council has taken the decision not to allow any discount in respect of long term empty properties and these will be subject to the full Council Tax bill. The exemption, up to a maximum of six months from Council Tax, allowed to properties when they first become empty

Persons Disregarded for Purposes of Discount

The following persons will be disregarded, that is to say treated as if not resident, for the purposes of deciding whether a discount should be awarded. The legislation is very technical so please click on any description you are interested in.

Persons in detention

A person who is detained in a prison, hospital or other place by virtue of an order under the Immigration Act 1971 regarding deportation, under parts of the Mental Health Act 1983, or the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984. If the person is temporarily discharged or temporarily released under the Prison Act 1952 or the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 then he shall be treated as still detained. The person shall not be disregarded where they are detained for non-payment of the Council Tax or a fine or under section 407 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975.

Additionally a person imprisoned, detained or in custody under the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955 or the Naval Discipline Act 1957, not under open arrest; and the custody forms part of a continuous period exceeding 48 hours during which he is under arrest.

Severely Mentally Impaired

If you believe you would be entitled to a single discount because a person in the household is disregarded in this category please click : severely mentally impaired for more details.

A person who has attained the age of 18 years and in respect of whom another person is entitled to child benefit, or would be entitled but for paragraph 1(c) of Schedule 9 to the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.

If you believe you would be entitled to a single discount because a person in the household is disregarded in this category please click: 'student'.

A patient who has his sole or main residence in a health service hospital or military establishment where health treatment is provided for persons subject to military law.

Patients in Homes in England & Wales

Patients in Homes in Scotland

Care Worker

A care worker providing care or support on behalf of a relevant body or is employed to provide such care or support by the person to whom it is provided and to whom he was introduced by a local authority, the City of London, the Isles of Scilly, the Crown or a body established for charitable purposes only. The care worker Is employed to do so for at least 24 hours a week, paid no more than £44.00 per week and is resident in premises provided by or on behalf of the relevant body or his employer for the better performance of his work.

Carers

The carer is resident in the same dwelling as the person to whom they are providing care, provides that care for at least 35 hours a week on average, and is not a spouse, partner of the person receiving the care or the parent of a person receiving the care who is below the age of 18 years

A higher rate Attendance Allowance
The highest rate of the Care Component of a Disability Living Allowance
An increase in the rate of his Disablement Pension
An increase in a constant Attendance Allowance

More than 1 occupant can apply to be disregarded as carers which could allow a discount of up to 50% in certain circumstances e.g if the person being cared for is Severely Mentally Impaired.

Residents of certain dwellings

A person who has his sole or main residence in a hostel or night shelter, the accommodation is predominantly provided otherwise than in separate and self-contained sets of premises for persons of no fixed abode and no settled way of life, and under a license to occupy which does not constitute a tenancy.

Persons of other descriptions

The Local Government Act 1992 provides for regulations to describe other persons to be disregarded for the purpose of discounts. To date they are:

If you believe you would be entitled to a discount if this applies to a member of the household, please click here.

Religious Communities

Where a religious community occupies a dwelling then the owner is liable for the Council Tax and a person can be disregarded for Council Tax discount purposes if he is a member of such a community.

School Leaver

If you believe you would be entitled to a single discount because a person in the household is disregarded in this category please click: school leaver.

Members of Visiting Forces

If you believe you would be entitled to a single discount because a person in the household is disregarded in this category please click : member or dependant of a visiting force.

A person who is the spouse or dependant of a student may be disregarded for discount purposes. Please see section 12.38 for more details.

If you believe you would be entitled to a single discount because a person in the household is disregarded in this category please click : diplomat or a person with immunity.

Council Tax Discounts