Leicester Council Tax Non-Dependant Deductions Explained

What Is a Non-Dependant?

A non-dependant is any adult living in your home who is not your partner, not a dependent child, and not a joint tenant. The most common situation: an adult son or daughter who still lives at home after turning 18 and leaving full-time education.

Lodgers, elderly parents you look after, adult siblings, and friends sharing your home can all count as non-dependants depending on the exact arrangement.

The £6.10 Weekly Deduction

Under Leicester's Council Tax Support scheme, a flat deduction of £6.10 per week is subtracted from your weekly Council Tax Support award for each non-dependant in the household. Unlike the old national system (which varied the deduction by the non-dependant's income), Leicester applies a single flat rate regardless of what the non-dependant earns.

This deduction is automatic. If you have two non-dependants and no exemption applies, £12.20 per week comes off your support — roughly £634 per year.

The deduction is taken from your award, not added to the non-dependant's bill. It reduces what the council pays toward your council tax, increasing the amount you owe.

When Your Child Turns 18

This is where most Leicester residents get caught. While your child is under 18 or in qualifying full-time education, they do not count as a non-dependant and no deduction applies. Once they turn 18 and leave education, they become a non-dependant overnight, and the £6.10 deduction starts.

You must report this change to the council within 21 days. If you delay, the council will backdate the deduction once they find out, and the shortfall gets added to your council tax account.

If your 18-year-old starts a qualifying full-time course (at least 21 hours per week for a full academic year), they are exempt from the non-dependant deduction. Get a student status certificate from their college or university and submit it to the council promptly.

Who Is Exempt From the Deduction

No non-dependant deduction is made if the person in your home is:

• A full-time student on a qualifying course
• Receiving certain disability benefits or certified as unable to work
• Under 18 (they are not a non-dependant at all)

The exemption needs to be evidenced. A student needs their enrolment letter or certificate. A disabled non-dependant needs their benefit award letter. Without evidence, the council applies the deduction by default.

How This Interacts With Your Income Band

The non-dependant deduction is separate from the income band calculation. Your income band determines the percentage discount (e.g., 80%, 60%). The non-dependant deduction is then subtracted from the resulting weekly award in pounds.

So if your income band gives you an 80% discount worth £25 per week, one non-dependant deduction reduces that to £18.90. Two non-dependants reduce it to £12.80. If the deductions exceed your award, your Council Tax Support drops to zero — even though your own income qualifies you for a discount.

Practical Steps

If you have non-dependant adults in your home and claim Council Tax Support, check whether any exemptions apply. Gathering the evidence now prevents the council from applying deductions that should not be there.

If a non-dependant moves out, report it within 21 days and the deduction stops.

The Leicester Council Tax Reduction guide includes a non-dependant status sheet to help you categorise each adult in your household and identify which exemptions apply before you submit your claim.

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