Rochdale Borough Council

If you're the only adult living in the property, you can claim a single person discount of 25 per cent.

Apply for a single person discount

You'll need to have a MyAccount to apply for a single person discount.

1. Sign in or register for MyAccount using the link below.
2. Add your Council Tax account, if you haven't already done so. You'll need your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill. You'll also need to answer a few security questions.
3. From your online Council Tax account, follow the link to apply for a single person discount.

Sign in or register for MyAccount to apply for a single person discount

You can claim a student discount if you're enrolled on a full time or qualifying course of education:

• A full time course of education is one that lasts for at least one academic year. You've to attend your place of study for 24 weeks a year and you should study at least 21 hours per week.
• A qualifying course of education is one which lasts for at least 3 months and is not a course of higher education. You've to study at least 12 hours a week and you must be under 20 years old.

What you'll need to apply for a student discount:

• A copy of a certificate from your place of study stating that you are enrolled on a full time course or qualifying course of education.
• Your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill.

Apply for a student Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

Your Council Tax bill may be reduced if an adult or child with a substantial disability lives with you.

Apply for a disabled person's reduction

Download and complete the Council Tax Disabled person's reduction form.

Eligibility for a disabled person's reduction

Your home must have certain features essential to, or that are very important to the wellbeing of the disabled person. These features are:

• A room (other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) used mainly by the disabled person. For example, a downstairs bedroom or room for storing dialysis equipment.
• An extra bathroom or kitchen for the person with the disability to use.
• Extra space inside your home because the disabled person has to use a wheelchair indoors.

To qualify for a reduction, the extra room doesn't have to be specially built. It can be an existing room or space as long as it's used specifically for the person with the disability.

We'll need to visit your home to check that you qualify.

Amount of reduction in your Council Tax

If your home is eligible, your bill will be reduced by the equivalent of 1 band. For example, if your home is in band D, your bill will be reduced to a band C dwelling.

This will not affect the value of your home or its banding on the valuation list. In this example, it would still be shown as band D on the valuation list. If your home is in band A (the lowest Council Tax band) a reduction of 1/9 of the band D Council Tax would apply.

If you're a foreign language assistant, you can apply for a student discount if you're registered with the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges and you're appointed as a foreign language assistant at a school or other educational institution in Great Britain.

What you'll need to apply for a student discount:

• Your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill.

Apply for a foreign language assistant Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

You can claim a student nurse discount if you're studying for your first inclusion on the Nursing Register at a college of nursing and midwifery or a college of health.

What you'll need to apply for a student nurse discount:

• Signed confirmation from the Registrar of your College or University.
• Your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which can be found on your bill.

Apply for a student nurse Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

You can claim a Council Tax discount if you're the husband, wife or dependant of a student who is not a British Citizen and you're prevented by the terms of your leave to enter or remain in the UK from working or claiming benefits.

What you'll need to apply for a Council Tax discount:

• A copy of your passport page showing your photo and details.
• A copy of your visa.
• Your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill.

Apply for a non-UK spouse Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

You can claim an apprentice discount if you're employed to learn a trade, business, profession or vocation.

You must be training to gain a qualification from the National Council for Vocational Qualification. You should earn less than £195 (gross) a week and substantially less than the salary you would be likely to receive if you achieve the qualification.

What you'll need to apply for an apprentice discount:

• A copy of your apprenticeship agreement or a signed copy of the agreement between you and your employer.
• Copies of your last 5 wage slips if you're paid weekly or your last 2 wage slips if you're paid monthly.
• Your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill.

Apply for an apprentice Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

Someone with a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning that appears to be permanent.

If a person with a severe mental impairment is the sole occupant (of a property that they own or have a tenancy agreement for), they can claim an exemption.

To get a Council Tax exemption, the person must also be in receipt of one of these benefits:

• Incapacity Benefit
• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payments
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Care Component of Disability Living Allowance
• Disablement Pension with an increase due to constant attendance needed
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Unemployability Supplement or Allowance
• Income Support - where the applicable amount includes a disability premium
• A person who would have received one of the above benefits had they not reached pensionable age
• Disability Working Allowance - there are additional conditions if this is the only benefit the person receives. We'll contact you after you've made the application
• Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
• The limited capability to work related elements of Universal Credit

What you'll need to apply for a Council Tax exemption:

• With the person’s approval, please provide their doctor's contact details with your application so that we can get a certificate.
• The 8 digit Council Tax reference number which can be found on their bill.

Apply for this Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

​Someone detained in a prison, hospital or elsewhere (a police station for example) under a UK Court Order. They should not be detained for non-payment of a fine or Council Tax.

Apply for a Council Tax discount or exemption for a person in detention (opens in a new window)

If you provide care or support to someone then you may be entitled to a Council Tax discount.

To apply for the Council Tax discount, you must fulfil either of these 2 conditions:

Condition 1

You must:

• Provide at least 24 hours care each week
• Live in the premises provided by your employer
• Earn less than £44 per week

You must also be employed to provide care by either:

• A public authority
• A charitable organisation
• The person receiving care (but only if they were introduced by one of the above bodies)

Condition 2

You must:

• Live with the person receiving care but you shouldn't be the partner of the care recipient or a parent of a care recipient aged under 18
• Provide at least 35 hours care each week

The person receiving care should also be entitled to one of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance (at higher rate)
• Disability Living Allowance (care component)​
• Disablement Pension
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payments

What you'll need to apply for a carer discount: your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which can be found on your bill

Apply for a care worker's Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

The care leaver's discount is for 18-25 year olds who have left care and are living in the Rochdale borough.

To apply for a care leaver's discount, you must:

• Have been looked after by the local authority for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14
• Have been in care on your 16th birthday
• Live in the Rochdale borough and be responsible for paying the Council Tax

How to apply for this discount:
Your social worker should notify us that you qualify for this discount, so there’s no need to apply. 

However, if you’re not receiving this discount when you think you should be, either contact your social worker or email us on council.tax@rochdale.gov.uk.

If you are a foster carer registered with Rochdale Borough Council, you can apply for a 100% council tax discount.

If you're an existing foster carer, you must amend your registration to care for teenagers (aged 13 to 17 inclusive). This discount also applies to foster carers recruited to care for teenagers on or after 1 April 2017.

To apply for a foster carer discount, you must:

• Be looking after children aged 13 to 17 inclusive
• Live in the Rochdale borough

How to apply for this discount:
Your social worker should notify us that you qualify for this discount, so there’s no need to apply. 

However, if you’re not receiving this discount when you think you should be, either contact your social worker or email us on council.tax@rochdale.gov.uk.

​If you're a Special Police Constable, you can apply for a 50% Council Tax discount.

To apply for the discount, you must:

• Volunteer in Rochdale borough.
• Have completed one year's probation and a minimum of one year of service in Rochdale borough.
• Live in the Rochdale borough and be responsible for paying the Council Tax.

How to apply for this discount:
Please email us on council.tax@rochdale.gov.uk to apply for this discount.

In your email, include your name, address and 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill.

You can claim a Council Tax discount if you're undertaking a training scheme approved for section 28 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.  You must also be under 25 years of age.

What you'll need to apply for a trainee's discount:

• A signed declaration from your employer.
• Your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill.

Apply for a Youth Training trainee's Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

If child benefit can be claimed for an 18 or 19 year old in a household, that person is not counted for council tax.

What you'll need to apply:

• A copy of proof of child benefit entitlement.
• Your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which can be found on your bill.

Apply for Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

You can apply for a 100% discount on a property deemed to be your sole or main residence, if you're the sole occupant, a member of the armed forces and your absence is a result of your service.

What you'll need to apply for an Armed Forces discount:

• A letter from the Ministry of Defence confirming you're on active service and how long you'll be away.
• Your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill.

Apply for an Armed Forces Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

​You can claim an exemption if you're the sole occupant of a property but you're now permanently living in a hospital or a residential care home or nursing home.

What you'll need to apply:

• The name and address of the hospital or care home.
• Your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill.

Apply for a Council Tax discount or exemption (opens in a new window)

If your property is empty and unfurnished you may be eligible for a reduction in the Council Tax bill.

For more information see the Council Tax empty property charges policy.

To apply for a Council Tax discount for an empty property, please email revenues.benefits@rochdale.gov.uk or ring 0300 303 8870.