If you are struggling to pay your bill, you should speak to your local council as soon as possible to see what help is available
Council tax went up again this year – but some people are eligible for discounts of up to 100% off their bill.
The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2025-26 is £2,280. If you are struggling to pay your bill, you should speak to your local council as soon as possible to see what help is available.
There are a range of discounts available which could see your council tax bill reduced to nothing, for example, if you live in an all-student household or you claim Pension Credit.
Full time students
If you and everyone you live with are full-time students, then you are exempt from paying council tax. Your course must last at least a year and involve at least 21 study hours a week.
Pensioners
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you are eligible for a 100% discount on your council tax bill. The discount is not applied automatically – you will need to contact your council.
On low income/benefits
If you’re on a low income or claiming benefits, such as Universal Credit, you could get up to 100% off your council tax bill. Some councils may offer smaller reductions. Again, you will need to contact your local authority to see what help you are entitled to.
Adults considered to be ‘severely mentally impaired’
If you are considered as having an “severe mental impairment” and you live alone, you may not have to pay council tax. This can include conditions like – but not limited to – Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis and learning disabilities.
You will need a certificate from your doctor to apply for the council tax reduction. If you live with someone else, the discount is 25% off.
It comes after the Government revealed plans to make council tax bills be spread out over 12 months by default. It means you would pay less each month, although your overall council tax bill for the year would remain the same.
At present, council tax bills are normally spread over ten months from April to January every year. This is because when you pay in ten instalments, you don’t pay a council tax bill in February and March.
You can request your payments be split over 12 months but a new Government consultation, which were first announced in June, want to make this the default.
The average band D household would pay approximately £38 less each month if they paid over 12 months, according to figures from the the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
