Discounts

Homes for Ukraine

If somebody moves in with you under the Ukraine Family Scheme, please let us know. They will be included as part of your household. Any Council Tax discounts or Council Tax reductions may be affected.

If somebody moves in with you under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine), please let us know. This will not have any effect on your Council Tax discounts or reductions. However, we will make a note on our records. 

Find out more information about the different schemes.

Unoccupied and unfurnished properties - prescribed Class C discount

Please note: From 1 April 2024, due to a change in policy, this discount will no longer be available. If a property becomes unoccupied and unfurnished, the full Council Tax charge will become due and payable.

To qualify for this discount, the property must be both unoccupied and substantially unfurnished. The discount is 100% and runs from the date that both of these conditions apply. The discount lasts for a maximum period of six weeks or until the conditions are no longer met. The six week period relates to the property. If there is a change in liable person, the new liable party is only entitled to the remaining part of the six week period, as appropriate. If the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished after the six week period has elapsed, the full council tax becomes payable.

If the property becomes empty and unfurnished again then the six week period of discount may start again once the premises have been occupied for a period of more than six weeks.

A newly built property, which is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished, attracts 100% discount from council tax for up to six weeks. The discount begins from the date that the property is considered to have been completed.

Properties that have been empty and unfurnished for a total period of one year or more will attract a 100% surcharge from 1 April 2024. This effectively means the council tax bill will be double. The surcharge was previously 50% but in February 2019 this council approved a resolution to increase the surcharge to 100% from 1 April 2019, in line with new legislation allowing councils to do this. With effect from 1 April 2020 any property remaining empty and unfurnished for a period of five years and more attracts a surcharge of 200%. With effect from 1 April 2021 there will be a 300% surcharge for properties empty and unfurnished for ten years or more. From 1 April 2024, properties that have been empty and unfurnished for a total period of one year or more will attract a 100% surcharge, this was previously after two years, but has been reduced to one. 

Find out more about the long-term empty property premium charge.

Apply for prescribed class c (unoccupied/unfurnished property) discount.

Unoccupied property requiring or undergoing major repairs/structural alteration - prescribed Class D discount

From 1 April 2024:

Due to a change in policy, the Prescribed Class D Discount will no longer be available. If a property is unoccupied and undergoing major repair, the full Council Tax charge will be due and payable. Properties that have been empty and unfurnished for a total period of one year or more will attract a 100% surcharge from 1 April 2024. This effectively means the council tax bill will be double. Find out more about the long-term empty property premium charge. The premium applies to the property, a change of ownership of ownership or tenancy will not affect the premium. 

An unoccupied property which requires major repair work or structural alterations to make it habitable may be eligible for an exception to the premium charge for a maximum period of 12 months. Each case is decided upon the facts relating to the physical condition of the property and the nature of the work that is needed. 

Additional information should be supplied to support your application, such as structural reports, builders reports, surveys etc. In some cases, a Visiting Officer may also need to inspect the property.

Find out more about the criteria for this discount.

Apply for prescribed class d (unoccupied property undergoing major repairs/alterations) discount.

Annexe discount

The government introduced legislation allowing 50% discount on annexes – if the annexe resident is related to the liable party in the main residence – on 1 April 2014.

In addition this reduction applies if the annexe is being used in conjunction with the main dwelling. Any premiums or discounts will be applied in the first instance, and then the additional annexe reduction will be granted accordingly.

For example, one adult resident (as a relative), receives a single person discount of 25%, reducing the charge due to 75%. The annexe discount will reduce this charge by half, resulting in a charge of 37.5%.

If you believe you are entitled to this as the annexe is occupied by a family member, apply for an annexe discount.

Please provide supporting documentation to prove the relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate). If these are not available, or do not prove the relationship, please provide a written statement confirming the relationship that should be signed by the owner/s of the annexe and the recipients/s of the discount.

If you wish to apply for this discount on the grounds that it is used as living accommodation to the main dwelling, please email us with details so that an inspection of the annexe can be arranged. Please email details to customer.care@ashford.gov.uk.

Information on other discounts is available on the discounts and disregards page.