Overview and eligibility criteria

If someone has moved and is now living long term in a hospital, care home or nursing home you may be eligible to get a discount on your Council Tax bill. This is because we don't count anyone who is a long-term resident in a hospital, nursing home or care home as living in the property.

Care and nursing homes

The home must be registered and would normally include any of the following:

  • hostels - including bail hostels, probation hostels that are used for the provision of personal care required due to old age, disablement, past or present alcohol or drug dependence or mental disorder
  • mental nursing homes
  • nursing homes (registered under the Registered Homes Act 1984)
  • residential care homes

Empty property

If a property has been left empty due to a person (or multiple people) moving permanently into a home then you can contact us to apply for a property exemption. The following conditions must be met in order to be eligible:

A property is:

  • unoccupied; and
  • was previously occupied by the owner(s) or tenant(s) as their sole or main residence; and
  • the owner(s) or tenant(s) are now living in a hospital, care home or nursing home 

How to apply

To receive this discount you just need to let us know this change of circumstances by completing our short online form. 

You will need the following information to complete this form:

  • your Council Tax reference number (this can be found at the top of your bill)
  • the following information about the care home or hospital:             
    • address  
    • phone number
    • the date the person receiving care was admitted

Apply now