Council tax discounts

From 1 April 2013, some of the help available with your council tax bill will change.

The Government has abolished council tax benefit from this date, and has asked Local Authorities to replace it with a local scheme called Council Tax Support.

Telford & Wrekin Council have designed a scheme which will protect the most vulnerable people and following consultation with the public, the scheme was agreed by Full Council on 22 November 2012.

As part of this consultation, numerous changes to council tax were also included, and from 1 April changes in the way we award discounts and exemptions for empty properties will take effect.

• Class A (structural repair or alteration work) and Class C (unoccupied and unfurnished) exemptions
  From 1 April 2013, empty properties will no longer receive any discount or exemption and will be subject to 100% of the council tax charge.  This includes any short periods where the property is empty.
• Long term empty properties
  From 1 April 2013, properties that have been empty for two years or more will  be charged a 50% premium, as allowed by the Local Government Finance Act 2012. The council tax payer will be liable for 150% of the council tax charge.
• Second home or furnished empty properties
  From the 1 April, second homes will no longer receive any discount or exemption and will be liable for 100% of the council tax charge.

If you have any queries on the amount of council tax you are required to pay please contact Customer Services on 01952 383838.

Council tax discounts until 31 March 2013

The council tax bill is based on at least two adults living in a property as their main home.

If only one adult, over the age of 18, lives in the property as their main home then they may be entitled to a 25% discount.

Certain people are not counted as being resident if they meet specific conditions.

For example:

• persons for whom child benefit is payable
• school and college leavers, under 20 years old
• youth training trainees
• apprentices 
• students, student nurses and foreign language students
• patients permanently resident in homes or hospitals
• certain carers
• severely mentally impaired persons
• residents of hostels
• persons in detention
• members of visiting forces, or of international headquarters
• members of religious communities
• persons with diplomatic privileges and immunities

Long term empty properties

Local authorities are able to award between 0-50% discount on a long term empty property. Telford & Wrekin Council award 0% discount for long term empty properties.

Second Home discount

Local authorities are able to award between 10% and 50% discount on second homes. Second homes are dwellings which are no ones sole or main residence and are furnished.

If you feel any of the above may apply to your household, you can apply for a discount using the online form or contact the Council Tax team.