We are carrying out a review of single occupier discounts in a bid to ensure only those entitled receive a discount. A 25% single occupier discount on Council Tax bills is available to households where only one adult is living in the property.
How we are doing this
Our review will identify those cases where more than one adult is living at an address and a discount is still being claimed.
Whilst most Council Tax discounts are claimed honestly and legitimately, there are times where a household’s circumstances change, and we are not told that their discount should end. We need to review our records and correct any that are found to be incorrect, these corrections are then made back to the date of the change. This means that households do not benefit from withholding information from us, making the system fairer for everyone.
What we need you to do
If you have received a letter asking you to complete an online form please make sure you choose one of the following options, failure to do so will result in your discount being cancelled. You will need the reference included on your letter to complete the online form.
I am still eligible
Complete this form if you are still eligible for the 25% single person discount
I am no longer eligible
Complete this form if you are no longer eligible for the 25% single person discount.
Questions and answers
On occasion circumstances are not so easy to explain. To help in these situations, we have included below the most frequently asked questions that can arise during a review.
Why have I been sent a letter?
We have a duty to ensure that when a discount is awarded there is a genuine entitlement to that discount. We are verifying that you are still entitled to the discount.
Which form do I complete?
If you are the only adult over 18 living in your property, complete the 'I am still eligible form'.
If there is more than one adult living at the property, you will need to fill in the ‘I am no longer eligible’ form. You may be asked to provide the following details for the other residents who are over 18:
- name
- date of birth
- the date they moved in
- their previous address
If you think they should not be counted for Council Tax purposes, for example if they are an apprentice or if Child Benefit is still being claimed for them, you should tell us why. Evidence may be required such as a bank statement to show that you are in receipt of Child Benefit for the person over 18.
We may need to contact you again for more information, so it is helpful if you provide us with an email address or telephone number. Or, if you need assistance with what evidence to provide, please email the Council Tax Review Team with your reference number, address and query.
What happens if I do not complete a form?
We will assume that your situation has changed and you are no longer entitled to the discount. Your single person discount will be removed and a new bill will be sent to you.
What should I do if someone is using my address for correspondence only?
Please provide their name and the address of the property they live in so that it can be verified. You can supply more information if you think it is relevant to assist your claim.
I have already informed the council of a change in circumstances. Do I need to complete the form?
Yes. Please include all the details of your current situation.
I receive mail for the previous occupiers; what should I do about this?
You need to write on the envelope that the person no longer lives at the address and return it to the sender.
A friend stays with me three or four nights a week; does this mean I am no longer entitled to the discount?
If your friend keeps their belongings at your house, it will be classed as their main residence and you will no longer be eligible for the discount. Some of the questions we may ask are:
- where does your friend stay for the other nights? If they stay at various addresses but keep their belongings at your property, their main residence would be your address
- what address does their doctor/dentist hold for them? If it is your address, it is their main residence
- does your friend work away and stay at your address on their days off? Your address would be their main residence
You should provide as much information as possible. If necessary, you can use a separate sheet. If you are unsure, please email us for advice.
What is data matching?
We match Council Tax data with third party sources and specialist validation services. Addresses of those in receipt of a single person discount are passed to a credit agency who run a search to match other data sources such as the electoral register or credit agreements. This provides us with a list of possible adults at the property.
Does it breach Data Protection Legislation?
No. We use the data for the correct purposes i.e. the levying and collection of a tax. The data is held for as long as required then destroyed. No database is compiled that could be shared with or accessed by other bodies or sources.
What credit information do you hold on me?
We do not hold any credit information. If you want to see your credit file, you should contact any of the major credit referencing agencies: Experian, Equifax or TransUnion.