You can apply for a 25% discount on your council tax if both apply:

  • if someone living in your home goes into prison or is detained
  • without them only one adult lives there

  Tell us someone is in prison

Empty property

You may not have to pay council tax if the property is left unoccupied because someone is in prison, held on remand or being held under immigration law.

This can be for any reason other than non-payment of council tax or a fine and the property must have been their main home before they were detained.

You may not have to pay council tax if a property is empty because someone is:

  • in prison
  • held on remand
  • held under immigration law

This can be for any reason other than non-payment of council tax or a fine. The property must have been their main home before.

  Tell us a property is empty as someone is in prison

What happens next

After applying you must still pay the amount on your council tax bill until you hear from us.

We'll check every year that you should still get the discount. We may cancel your discount if you don't reply when we contact you.

Tell us about a change

If you no longer qualify or something changes you must tell us within 21 days. You may have to pay a fine if you don't tell us.

  Tell us about a change

Appeals

If we refuse your application and you don't agree with our decision you can appeal. Once we get your appeal we will decide within two months.

  Appeal against a decision