Council Tax Single Person Discount 2026/27
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Try free →How the 25% discount works
If you’re the only adult living in a property as your main home, you’re entitled to a 25% reduction on your council tax bill. The discount is based on the number of adults counted as resident, not on income or property value, so it applies whether you’re in a Band A flat or a Band H house.
Who counts, and who doesn’t
- Certain people are “disregarded” even if they live with you — full-time students, some apprentices, live-in carers, and people who are severely mentally impaired are the most common examples
- If you live with one other adult who is disregarded for any of these reasons, you can still claim the 25% single person discount even though two people technically live there
- Discounts stop the moment a second countable adult moves in — you’re legally required to tell your council promptly, since backdated overpayment claims are common if this isn’t reported
- A partner or adult child moving out temporarily (for university, for example) may still count as resident depending on how long they’re away — check with your council rather than assuming
Claiming it
The discount isn’t always applied automatically, particularly if a second adult has recently moved out. Most councils let you apply online in a few minutes with proof of your circumstances, and it’s usually backdated to when you became eligible if you claim promptly.