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 two or more adults live in your home. However, certain people are not counted because of their circumstances. These people are termed 'disregarded'.
If only one adult lives 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:
- young people who are 18 years old, if child benefit is still in payment for them
- 18 and 19-year-olds in further education
- recent school or college leavers if they are under 20 years old
- full-time students
- some foreign national spouses and dependents of full-time students
- foreign language assistants
- apprentices
- youth training trainees
- people who are 'severely mentally impaired'
- some carers
- prisoners and other people held in detention
- residents of nursing homes, care homes and some hostels
- members of religious communities, for example, nuns and monks
- patients living in hospital long term
- members and their dependents of international headquarters and defence organisations such as NATO
- members of visiting armed forces and their dependants
- foreign diplomats
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
You may be entitled to pay less council tax if someone who lives in your home is disabled and the property has certain facilities to meet their needs specifically. These are:
- a room other than a bathroom, kitchen or lavatory which is predominantly required for meeting the needs of the disabled person, or
- an additional kitchen or bathroom which is required for meeting the needs of the disabled person, or
- sufficient floor to use a wheelchair indoors, and the disabled person needs the use of a wheelchair within the dwelling
You will be charged at one band lower than the official banding for your property if eligible. Call us on 0151 443 4476 for more guidance on Council Tax reduction for people living with a disabled person.
How to apply
We will process your application as soon as possible.
Log in to your Online Services account
No Online Services account? Complete this form to apply for a Sole Occupier Discount.
Cancel Sole Occupier Discount because another adult is now living in your home
Cancel your Sole Occupier Discount online
No Online Services account? Complete this form to cancel your Sole Occupier Discount.
If this person has moved from a Knowsley address to your home, they will also need to notify us of their change of circumstances.