The Disabled Band Reduction Scheme
The Disabled Band Reduction Scheme aims to ensure that disabled people do not pay more Council Tax because they live in a larger property than they would have needed if they were not disabled. Having a disability does not automatically entitle you to a reduction.
The requirements for a reduction are that the property must be the main residence of at least one disabled person and it must have at least one of the following:
- an additional bathroom or kitchen
- any other room (not being a toilet) which is mainly used by the disabled person
- enough space for the use of a wheelchair (if the wheelchair is for outdoor use only, this will not count)
The room or the wheelchair must also be essential or of major importance to the disabled person's well-being, due to the nature and extent of their disability.
'Disabled person' in this context means a person who is substantially and permanently disabled. The disabled person can be either an adult or a child and does not have to be responsible for paying the Council Tax bill.
An extra room does not need to have been specially built, but your home will not qualify for a reduction unless the 'essential or of major importance' test above is met. Simply rearranging rooms (for example, having a bedroom on the ground floor rather than the first floor) is unlikely to make your home eligible for a reduction.
The reduction you may receive
If your home is eligible under the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme, your bill will be reduced to that of a property in the next Council Tax band down.
For example, a Band D property will be charged a B and C rate. Even if your property is in Band A (the lowest band) you will still receive a reduction. It will be the same in cash terms as the reductions for homes in B, C or D.
Remember that before you apply, the property must have been adapted for the use by the disabled resident with at least one of the special features mentioned above.
An appointment will be made with you to meet you at your home once we receive your application form so that you will be able to show our representative the adaptations that have been made. After that, we will consider your application then write and inform you of the decision.