Exemptions, discounts & council tax support

Here you will find out about homes and properties exempt from council tax.

An empty homes premium is now charged on properties which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than two years.

If a dwelling has been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than 2 years an Empty Homes Premium will be charged.  From 1 April 2020 the following premiums will apply:

• 100% for properties which have been empty and substantially unfurnished for 2 years or more, but less than 5 years.  This means 200% council tax is payable.
• 200% for properties which have been empty and substantially unfurnished for 5 years or more.  This means 300% council tax is payable. 

 
If you require further information on this matter, please contact us by:

• telephone: 0345 600 6400 (charged at your local rate).
• email: counciltax@northumberland.gov.uk
• Eform: council tax enquiry form

View our 2020 Discount Policy here

Discount for uninhabitable dwellings from 1 April 2018

A vacant dwelling which requires, or is undergoing, major repair works or structural alterations in order to make it habitable may be eligible for a discount of 100%.  A discount will be awarded for a vacant dwelling for up to 12 months, or up to 6 months after works are completed (to a maximum of 12 months in total).  Before a discount can be awarded an inspection of the dwelling will be carried out by the Council.
 
Each application for discount will be considered on an individual basis and will take into account the physical condition of the dwelling and the nature of the works required to make it habitable.  A discount will end immediately if the dwelling becomes occupied or furnished.

Major repair works include structural repairs and will include:

Roofs	Major repairs to roof structures Rebuilding defective chimney stack(s)
External Walls	Rebuilding defective walls Provision of dpc following rebuilding of defective walls
Foundations	Repair/renewal of foundations Underpinning substandard foundations
Floors	Replacing defective solid floors Replacing defective floor joists
Internal	Replacing defective staircase Replacing defective ceiling joists Rebuilding defective walls

This definition does not include the following singularly, although a combination of these may be considered:

• Plumbing or heating
• Replacement/repairs to sanitary fittings
• Replacement/repairs to any other fittings/fixtures
• Rewiring
• Timber/damp proof treatments
• Replastering (walls or ceilings)
• Drainage
• Repairs or renewals of services
• Maintenance, e.g. repointing, window/door replacement etc
• Redecoration

Please click here to download the Uninhabitable Discount form.

For further information, please contact the council tax section on 01670 624884 or email counciltax@northumberland.gov.uk
 

This reduction is available to disabled people who meet certain criteria.

There are two types of financial support available to help you to meet your council tax payments - main council tax support and second adult rebate. Only one or the other can be granted, not both. The higher amount of the two will be granted if both types of reductions are applied for.

Changes to Council Tax Support from 1 April 2019 for Working Age Claimants

From 1 April 2019 the level of support for all working age claimants (18 to state retirement pension age) will reduce by 8% to a maximum level of 92%.  This means that if you are of working age and currently receive full council tax support from 1 April 2019 you will have to pay council tax and for those who pay some council tax you will have to pay more.

Pensioners will continue to receive support up to 100% as that element of the scheme is set by the Government and will not change.

Details of how to pay will be included with the council tax bill.  The bill will be issued requesting payment in 10 instalments but this can be increased to 12 providing you contact the council tax department on 0345 600 6400 when you receive your bill. Council tax bills will be issued week commencing 11 March 2019. 

You can complete an online application form here for Council Tax Support. You can also upload supporting documents at the same time as making your online application.  This is the quickest and easiest way to apply for Council Tax Support.

If you live on your own, you may be entitled to a 25% discount.

Certain adults are not counted for council tax purposes.

They are referred to as disregarded persons. This means that when we count the number of people in your property they are ignored.

If there is only one adult resident who is also a disregarded person then a 50% discount may be given e.g. the only adult resident is an apprentice. Depending on the disregard type a full exemption from council tax may be applicable- View our classes of exemptions here 

Annexes used by the council tax payer of the main dwelling as part of the main dwelling, or annexes which are occupied by a relative of the council tax payer of the main dwelling, will be entitled to a 50% reduction in the amount of council tax payable on the annexe.

If you have been granted any exemption, discount or support that you are not entitled to, or you fail to notify the council within 21 days of a change in circumstances that may affect your entitlement, you could be liable to a civil penalty of £70 or £280. You may also be prosecuted.

To notify us, please include all information regarding your change of circumstance and contact us by:

• email: counciltax@northumberland.gov.uk
• eForm: council tax enquiries form
• phone: 0345 600 6400 (charged at you local rate)
• write to: Council Tax Section, Northumberland County Council, Wansbeck Square, Ashington NE63 9XL
• visit: view customer service centre locations here