Does a lodger affect my single person discount?

A lodger who has their own tenancy agreement and is counted as a separate household may not affect your discount. But if they are simply a second adult sharing your home, they count as a resident and you lose the discount.

What if my adult child moves back home?

If your adult child is a full-time student, they are disregarded and you keep the discount. If they are working or not in full-time education, you lose the discount from the date they move in.

Can I get the discount if I have a partner who lives elsewhere?

Yes. The discount is based on who actually lives at the property, not your relationship status. If your partner's sole or main residence is elsewhere, you qualify.

What happens if I claim incorrectly?

If the council discovers you were not eligible, they will remove the discount and backdate the full charge. In cases of deliberate fraud, they can impose a penalty of up to £70 or prosecute.

Single Person Council Tax Discount: How to Apply

By GetRighted Legal Research TeamLast updated July 2026

Summary

If you are the only adult living in your property, you qualify for a 25% discount on your council tax bill under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, Section 11. Around 8 million households in England claim this discount. Applying is straightforward but varies by council — most accept online applications. Certain residents are 'disregarded' for discount purposes even if they live with you: full-time students, apprentices, people with severe mental impairment, and live-in carers. Understanding who counts can mean the difference between paying full rate and getting the discount.

Am I eligible?

You qualify if:

✓You are the only adult (18+) resident at the property, OR
✓All other adult residents fall into a 'disregarded' category (see below)
✓You are the liable person for council tax (owner-occupier, tenant, or licensee)
✓The property is your sole or main residence

Who counts as 'disregarded'?

The following people do not count as adults for council tax discount purposes: full-time students (enrolled on a course of at least 21 hours per week for a qualification), student nurses, apprentices earning under £195 per week, people with severe mental impairment (must have a medical certificate), live-in carers providing at least 35 hours per week of care, members of certain religious communities, and diplomats. If everyone else in your household falls into these categories, you are treated as the sole adult.

How to apply

Steps:

1Find your council's council tax section online — search '[council name] single person discount'
2Complete the application form (usually online, sometimes by phone or post)
3Provide evidence: council tax bill, proof of address, and supporting documents for disregarded persons
4Council processes the application (typically 2–4 weeks)
5Revised bill issued with 25% discount applied — backdated to the date you became eligible

Backdating your claim

You can claim the discount retrospectively. If you have been the sole adult resident for months or years without claiming, apply now — the council must backdate the discount to the date you became eligible. There is no time limit on backdating, though the council may ask for evidence covering the earlier period.

Renewal and council reviews

Councils periodically review single person discounts — typically every 1–2 years. You may receive a letter asking you to confirm you still qualify. Respond promptly: if you do not reply, the council can remove the discount and backdate the full charge. Some councils use credit reference data to identify properties where additional adults may be living.

The legal basis
Local Government Finance Act 1992, Section 11: where only one adult resident is liable for council tax, the bill is reduced by 25%. The Council Tax (Discount Disregards) Order 1992 (SI 1992/548) lists the categories of disregarded persons.

Sources

Local Government Finance Act 1992, Section 11
Council Tax (Discount Disregards) Order 1992
Valuation Tribunal for England guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a lodger affect my single person discount?: A lodger who has their own tenancy agreement and is counted as a separate household may not affect your discount. But if they are simply a second adult sharing your home, they count as a resident and you lose the discount.
What if my adult child moves back home?: If your adult child is a full-time student, they are disregarded and you keep the discount. If they are working or not in full-time education, you lose the discount from the date they move in.
Can I get the discount if I have a partner who lives elsewhere?: Yes. The discount is based on who actually lives at the property, not your relationship status. If your partner's sole or main residence is elsewhere, you qualify.
What happens if I claim incorrectly?: If the council discovers you were not eligible, they will remove the discount and backdate the full charge. In cases of deliberate fraud, they can impose a penalty of up to £70 or prosecute.

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