Key Coventry Council Tax Exemptions and Discounts

Discounts and Exemptions Are Separate From Council Tax Support

Council Tax Support (the income-banded scheme that gives working-age residents up to 80% off their bill) is one thing. Statutory discounts and exemptions are another. They apply before Council Tax Support is calculated, reducing the base liability that the income bands then work from.

You can claim both. In fact, the council applies discounts and exemptions first, then assesses your Council Tax Support on the reduced figure. Missing a discount you're entitled to means your CTS calculation starts from a higher base — and you pay more than you need to.

Single Person Discount (25% Off)

If you're the only adult in your property who counts for council tax purposes, you can claim 25% off your bill by telling the council. "Only adult who counts" means certain people living with you are disregarded: full-time students, people with severe mental impairment, live-in carers, and some others.

This is the most commonly claimed discount in Coventry and across England. Apply online through coventry.gov.uk or call 024 7683 1111.

Severe Mental Impairment (SMI) Exemption

A person with a severe mental impairment is completely disregarded for council tax purposes. If everyone in the property has an SMI, the property is fully exempt — zero council tax. If one person has an SMI and lives with one other adult, the household gets the 25% single person discount because the SMI person is disregarded.

Check Coventry City Council's current SMI criteria and evidence requirements before applying.

This exemption is significantly underclaimedacross England. If someone in your household has dementia, a severe learning disability, or a brain injury, check whether they qualify.

Disabled Band Reduction

If your property has been adapted for a disabled resident — with features like an extra room for a wheelchair, a downstairs bathroom, or extra space essential for the person's needs — you can apply for a disabled band reduction. This moves your property down one council tax band for billing purposes (e.g., Band C becomes Band B).

The adaptation must be essential for the disabled person's wellbeing and must be a feature the property has, not just one it could have. Apply through Coventry City Council's council tax team.

Student Exemption

Properties occupied entirely by full-time students are exempt from council tax. If you live with a mix of students and non-students, the students are disregarded — which may qualify the household for the single person discount if only one non-student adult remains.

Coventry City Council can confirm whether your course counts as full-time for council tax purposes.

Care Leaver Relief

Coventry has an explicit local policy granting up to 100% council tax relief for eligible care leavers aged 18 to 25 for whom Coventry City Council was the corporate parent. Requests are typically submitted by the Through Care Team or through the council's online "Council Tax Section 13a Application" portal.

Empty Property Rules

Unoccupied and unfurnished properties empty for over one year attract a 100% council tax premium on top of the standard charge. After 5 years empty, the premium rises to 200%, and after 10 years to 300%. Second homes and furnished empty properties attract a 100% premium after 1 year.

Some statutory exceptions apply, including job-related dwellings, annexes, and seasonal properties. Check with the Revenues Team on 024 7683 1111.

How These Interact With Council Tax Support

The order of operations matters:

1. Gross council tax liability for your property band
2. Minus statutory discounts (single person, disabled band reduction, etc.)
3. Minus non-dependant deductions
4. Equals your net eligible liability
5. Council Tax Support applies (up to 80% for working-age)
6. You pay the remainder

Getting every applicable discount claimed before your CTS assessment means a lower base figure and a lower 20% minimum payment.

For a consolidated view of every discount, exemption, and support scheme you might qualify for in Coventry, the Coventry Council Tax Reduction guide maps each one with eligibility criteria and application routes.

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