Brent Council Tax 35 Percent Minimum Payment: What It Means for Your Bill

What the 35% minimum payment means

Since April 2025, the standard working-age income-banded Council Tax Reduction award in Brent covers at most 65% of net council tax liability, so the claimant contribution is at least 35%, regardless of income or disability benefits. Separate discretionary relief may reduce the remaining bill further.

This was a significant change from the old scheme, where some protected groups (including disabled residents and lone parents) could receive up to 100% relief. Under the current 2026/27 rules, those protections no longer exist for working-age claimants.

How much is 35% in practice?

It depends on your property band and any statutory discounts you receive. Here's what the 35% floor looks like across common situations:

Single person in a Band C property (annual council tax £1,800):

• After 25% Single Person Discount: £1,350 net
• 35% minimum payment: £472.50 per year, or roughly £47 a month

Couple in a Band D property (annual council tax £2,000):

• No Single Person Discount: £2,000 net
• 35% minimum payment: £700 per year, or roughly £70 a month

Single person in a Band B property (annual council tax £1,400):

• After 25% discount: £1,050 net
• 35% minimum payment: £367.50 per year, or roughly £37 a month

These figures assume you're in Band 1 (weekly income under £80) and getting the maximum 65% reduction. If your income pushes you into a higher band, your actual payment is larger than 35%.

Why did Brent introduce this?

The council faced a budget gap of £16–30 million across its Medium-Term Financial Strategy. Replacing the old means-tested system with the banded scheme and 35% floor saved approximately £7.6 million annually. Full Council approved the change on 27 February 2025 after a public consultation.

Disability benefits don't exempt you

Under the previous scheme, residents receiving PIP, DLA, or ESA were often shielded from minimum payment rules. That protection was removed. If you're working-age and receive disability benefits, the 35% floor still applies to you.

However, disability benefits are fully disregarded when Brent calculates your income band. So receiving PIP doesn't push you into a higher band and a larger bill — it just doesn't exempt you from the 35% floor either.

What if you genuinely can't afford 35%?

Two safety nets exist:

The Hardship Fund: Brent maintains a £1.5 million Discretionary Council Tax Hardship Fund under Section 13A(1)(c) for residents who are already receiving CTR but still can't manage the remaining bill. You need to apply separately with evidence of your income and essential outgoings.

12-month instalment plan: By default, council tax bills are spread over 10 months (April to January). You have a statutory right to request a 12-month plan instead, which lowers each monthly payment. Contact Brent early in the tax year to set this up.

If you're falling into arrears and can't see a way to pay, contact StepChange (0800 138 1111) or Citizens Advice Brent (0808 278 7898) for free debt advice before enforcement action begins.

The Brent Council Tax Reduction guide includes a bill calculator that shows your exact 35% liability and walks through the hardship fund application step by step.

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