Sole occupier discount and disregarded persons

The sole occupier discount can be awarded where there is only one adult over the age of 18 living at the property. This will give a council tax reduction of 25%.

Who is eligible for this discount

There is usually no discount if 2 or more adults live in your home. However, certain people are not counted because of their circumstances. These people are termed 'disregarded'.

If there is only one adult living in the property after we have excluded the 'disregarded' people, you will be entitled to a discount of 25%.

If all occupants are disregarded you will be entitled to a 50% discount or possibly an exemption.

Who is disregarded 

The following people are 'disregarded' or 'not counted' when we work out council tax discounts:

• 18 and 19 year olds in further education
• apprentices
• foreign diplomats
• foreign language assistants
• full-time students
• members and their dependents of international headquarters and defence organisations such as NATO
• members of religious communities, for example nuns and monks
• members of visiting armed forces and their dependants
• patients living in hospital long term
• people who are 'severely mentally impaired'
• prisoners and other people held in detention
• recent school or college leavers if they are under 20 years old
• residents of nursing homes, care homes and some hostels
• some carers
• some foreign national spouses and dependents of full-time students
• Ukrainian nationals with a Homes for Ukraine (HFU) visa
• young people who are 18 years old, if child benefit is still in payment for them
• youth training trainees

You can only get this discount based on your normal living situation. You can not get it if other people usually live with you but are away on a temporary basis. For example, you can not get this discount for the times when the other residents are on holiday or are working away from home.

Disability

If you or someone you live with has a disability, you may be entitled to a reduction in the amount of council tax you pay. This is called a reduction for disabilities.

How to apply

To apply for a sole occupier discount, or severely mentally impaired disregard, please complete this online form at the bottom of the page.  

If you are a listed above as a disregarded person, please email croyctax@croydon.gov.uk with the relevant evidence to support your application.

We will process your application as soon as possible. Applications can take up to 4 weeks to be processed.

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