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Benefits and Council Tax

Change in circumstances

Advise us of a change in circumstances

If you are receiving benefits

If you already receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support and your circumstances change, you must inform us immediately. If you do not tell us within one month of the change, you may be at risk of losing your benefits.

If you need help completing a form, visit the help completing a form section.

Moving home

Use this form to inform us that you are moving address so that we can make sure you receive the correct amount of housing benefit or council tax support.

pdf Download and complete the change of address form (1.12 MB) .

You will need:

If this is your first claim at this address, please send us:
• your tenancy agreement; and
• proof of rent payments you have made (for example, your rent book or receipts).

(If you do not have a tenancy agreement, or the initial term of your tenancy has run out, please ask your landlord, landlady or agent to fill in the ‘Confirmation of tenancy’ page of the change of address form on page 11.)

If you have claimed at this address before, please send us:
• the ‘Confirmation of tenancy’ page (which is on page 11 of the change of address form); and
• proof of rent payments you have made (for example, your rent book or receipts)

These must be original documents, not photocopies

Income, benefits and savings

  • if you or your partner start or stop work
  • if you or your partner have an increase or decrease in income
  • if there is a change in you or your partner's savings
  • if you or your partner start or stop receiving any of the following benefits, incapacity benefit, income support, tax credits, child tax credits, job seekers allowance, pension credit or universal credits
  • if the income of another adult living with you changes.

Notify us that your income has changed when claiming for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support by downloading and completing the pdf change of income form (1.34 MB) .

You will need:

  • a bank or building society statement for the last two months showing money going out, money coming in and the balance;
  • a letter from a bank or building society showing the type of account, account number, the balance and regular deposits for the last two months; or
  • statements for certificates, bonds, unit trusts, stocks and shares.

All savings books and so on must be up to date, showing all interest due. The proof must be an original, not a photocopy.

If you are self-employed, you need to complete the Self - Employed earnings application form.

Household changes

  • if someone comes to live with you
  • if someone living with you moves out
  • if someone in the household passes away
  • if you need to tell us that you have changed your name
  • date a child leaves school or the date child benefit payments stop
  • date a child starts work or goes to college/university
  • date if you have another child
  • if you or your partner go into hospital for more than 6 weeks
  • You have had a change of tenancy

It is very important that you tell us as soon as possible by visiting the links from Moving House webpage.

Any delay in sending the form may affect the date the benefit is paid from and the amount you receive.

 

If you are not receiving benefits

If you would like to inform our Council Tax team of a change of address or change of tenancy, then complete one of our change of address forms.

Help completing a form

Contact information:

Wychavon District Council
Pershore Civic Centre: The Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, WR10 1PT- Open Monday to Friday 9-5pm. To book an appointment please call 01386 565492.

Evesham Community Contact Centre: Evesham Community Contact Centre, Evesham Library, Oat Street, Evesham, WR11 4PJ- Open Fridays 9.30am -3.30pm.

Droitwich Community Contact Centre: Droitwich Spa Library, Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa, WR9 8DQ - Open Tuesdays 9:30am-3:30pm.

If you would like to see us in Droitwich or Evesham outside of these hours, we may be able to book you an appointment. Please call us on 01386 565 000 and hold for the operator

Please call us on 03004 560560

 

 

 

 

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a benefit introduced by the Government to help people of working-age with living costs.

It's available to you if you:

  • are on a low income
  • are out of work
  • are unable to work due to illness, disability
  • have childcare commitments
  • care for a disabled person

What does Universal Credit replace?

  • Jobseekers Allowance (Income based)
  • Housing Benefit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Employment and Support Allowance (Income based)
  • Income Support

How is Universal Credit different?

  • Claims can only be made online
  • You will be paid monthly
  • It is paid in arrears, so may take up to five weeks to receive your first payment
  • You will be responsible for paying rent directly to your landlord
  • Couples who both claim Universal Credit will be paid one joint monthly payment
  • There is no limit to how many hours you can work. Instead of losing your benefits all at once they will gradually reduce as you earn more

Please visit the Understanding Universal Credit website for more information.

How to apply

Apply for Universal Credit

Help to complete your Universal Credit claim

If you cannot use digital services due to a disability or exceptional circumstances then please use the following contacts below to seek advice:

Universal Credit helpline 

Telephone: 0800 328 5644 
Textphone: 0800 328 1344 
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm 

For help from the early stages of your Universal Credit application right up to your first payment:

Further information

Will I be affected

If you are working age and you need to make a new claim for any of the following benefits then you will now need to make a claim for Universal Credit;

  • Housing Benefit
  • Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based)
  • Income Support
  • Employment & Support Allowance (Income Based)
  • Tax credits (Working and Child tax credits)

People already claiming any of the benefits listed above who have a change in their circumstances may have to switch to Universal Credit. This is called natural migration to Universal Credit. You may seperately be contacted by the Department of Works and Pensions to advise you will need to make a new claim for Universal Credit or the benefit you are claiming will be ended after a set period. This is called managed migration to Universal Credit.

A change of circumstances that could mean you need to make a new claim for Universal Credit through natural migration can include:

  • A change of address outside of the Local Authority that you are currently living in.
  • You become pregnant or have a child that requires you to make a new claim for Income Support or Child Tax Credits.
  • You start work and need to make a new claim for Working Tax Credits when you are not yet in receipt of any tax credits.
  • Your extended period of sickness ends and you are still unable to work
  • You separate from your partner who was in a joint claim with you.
  • You are claiming Income Support and leave full-time education.

Use the eligibility checker on the Entitled To website to see if you may be affected (please note South Worcestershire Revenues and Benefits Service is not responsible for the content of external sites).

The Money Advice Service website also contains lots of information about what will change when you move from one of the six benefits to Universal Credit. You do not need to do anything until you hear from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), unless your circumstances change.

The following groups are exempt from Universal Credit:

  • Single people that have reached state pension age.
  • Couples that have both reached state pension age.
  • People living in supported or council placed temporary accommodation will need to apply for Housing Benefit for help with their rent and Universal Credit for help with living costs.

Apply for free school meals

You may also be entitled to free school meals if you claim Universal Credit, but you’ll need to apply for this separately. Read more about free school meals on worcestershire.gov.

Advice for landlords and employers

Advice for landlords

Most private sector landlords won’t see any change with the introduction of Universal Credit.

This is because most working age claimants in the private rented sector are already used to receiving their Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance payments directly from us and are responsible for paying their own rent.

If a tenant cannot manage and gets into arrears then it’s important to note that private landlords no longer need explicit consent from their tenant to apply for rental payments to be made directly to them.

The Department for Work and Pensions should start making payments direct to landlords if:

  • a claimant is in arrears with their rent for an amount equal to, or more than, two months of their rent.
  • a claimant has continually underpaid their rent over a period of time, and they have accrued arrears of an amount equal to or more than one month’s rent.

If a managed payment is not set-up by the Department for Work and Pensions then landlords can request one by completing the form on GOV.UK.

The Government has created a dedicated page on their website for Universal Credit and rented housing which contains detailed advice. Visit GOV.UK

Advice for employers

Universal Credit can benefit employers as well as individuals by creating a more flexible workforce as there is no upper limit to the number of hours people can work before losing their benefits. Instead, benefits will gradually reduce as people earn more.

Read the Universal Credit for employers: how it helps your business guide to help employers with staff claiming Universal Credit

As an employer there are some basic things you can do to help your staff make the move to Universal Credit.

  • Report PAYE information accurately and on time to HMRC. Failure to do so can lead to your staff not receiving enough Universal Credit payment or none at all which could lead to financial hardship. If you do not use the Real Time Information (RTI) system then let your employee know as they will need to report their work details themselves.
  • Be open and flexible to staff requesting additional hours or ad hoc overtime. Discuss with them how they could earn more by taking on additional responsibility or upskill themselves.
  • Universal Credit claimants, particularly when waiting for their first payment, can struggle to meet housing and living costs. Be aware of the financial support on offer and direct staff towards it. Alternatively, you may wish to consider advancing payments or loans to your employees that they pay back over a set period of time in a way they can afford.
  • Consider paying staff monthly instead of once every four weeks. Paying staff once every four weeks can mean at certain times of the year they will be assessed as having been paid twice within one Universal Credit period. This could mean their earnings are too high and they drop out of the Universal Credit system. They will then need to reapply to ensure payments continue in the next four-week cycle. This can lead to delays and financial hardship.

Help managing your money

The money management service has developed a free online tool especially for people making a new claim or moving to Universal Credit from existing benefits.

Struggling with debt?

If you find yourself in financial difficulty you may want to consider asking for independent debt advice. If you are having trouble paying your Council Tax bill then please get in touch with us as soon as possible by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0300 456 0560.

View money advice service website.

Financial support

If you are in financial difficulties then there is a range of financial support on offer to help you.

Advanced Payments

If you have little or no money to see you through until your first Universal Credit payment then you can apply for an advance payment by calling the Universal Credit helpline or asking for advice from your local JobCentre Plus.

You can apply for up to one full month’s payment in advance. Please note though, this is a loan and not a grant, you will have to pay it back but will have 12 months to do so.

Budgeting Advance

You can borrow from £100 up to £812 (if you have children) to help with emergency household costs such as replacing a broken cooker or help getting a job or staying in work. This money will be repaid through your regular Universal Credit payments.

Eligibility criteria applies and how much you receive depends on your circumstances. Speak to your Jobcentre work coach for more information and to apply.

Help paying your Council Tax

Council Tax Support (previously Council Tax Benefit) is not including in Universal Credit so you will still need to apply to our Revenues and Benefits service separately for help paying your Council Tax bill. For more information, see Council Tax Support page.

Discretionary Welfare Assistance

The South Worcestershire Discretionary Welfare Assistance Scheme will provide assistance in the form of goods or vouchers to help individuals or families facing exceptionally difficult circumstances or an emergency.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments are paid on top of any Housing Benefit/Universal Credit Housing costs you may receive. They act as additional financial support for those who need extra help with their rental liability. They are normally only paid for a short period of time. There is only a limited amount of money available so not everyone who applies will receive payment, it will depend on your circumstances. For more information, see Housing Benefit page.

Other support

If you claim Universal Credit you may also be entitled to:

Are you claiming everything you are entitled to?

Use this free benefits calculator to check you are not missing out on any financial help you could be claiming.

Challenging a Universal Credit decision

If you disagree with a decision about your Universal Credit claim then the first thing you should do is contact your local job centre using the details on your decision letter and ask for an explanation of the reasons behind a decision. You should do this as soon as possible.

For more information speak to the South Worcestershire Citizens Advice team.

Please note that Wychavon District Council does not hold detailed information regarding Universal Credit claimants and will not be able to advise you as to why or why not a payment decision has been made.

 

Moving house

We are trying to reduce how much paper we use and hope you will help us to go paper free. This means that if you contact us by email or provide us with an email address we will set your council tax account up so that in future your bill and all other correspondence from this department will be sent to you by email. If you would rather we contact you by post please let us know.  

If you or your tenants are moving in or out of a property please let us know so we can update your Council Tax information. You can find out how to do this using the links below:

If you are new to Wychavon

Welcome to our district. Please complete a moving in form on our revenues and benefits page.

Moving within the area

If you currently pay Council Tax to Wychavon, Malvern Hills or Worcester City (or have done so in the past) and are moving to another address within Wychavon, Malvern Hills or Worcester City where you will be liable for the Council Tax please complete the moving within the area form.

Moving out of the area

If you are moving out of the Wychavon, Malvern Hills or Worcester City area or will not be liable for Council Tax at your new address please complete the moving out of the area form. If you currently pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit we recommend you contact your bank and cancel the Direct Debit immediately.

With effect from 1 April 2023, if you are paying your Council Tax by direct debit and move out of the area or your account is closed, any credit on the account, once the amendment has been made, will be refunded to the bank account being used to make your payments from. We will only refund a credit if there is no outstanding Council Tax due on any other accounts in your name.

Change of tenancy

If you are a landlord and wish to tell us about a change of tenants in your property please use the change of tenancy form.

Electoral Roll

Don't forget to let our Electoral and Registration Services know that you have moved. You can find information about how to do this on the Voting and Elections page.

Garden waste service

Please let us know by clicking on the link if you already have the service and are moving within or out of the district, or if you move into a property where there is already a brown bin (as this is a chargeable service). Find out more about our Garden waste collection service.

Changing your name or changes to household

Let us know if you change your name or changes to your household so that we can update your Council Tax bill with the correct details. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the information.

Other changes

If there are other changes such as an adult leaving or joining your household then please complete a Council Tax change of circumstances form to tell us.

If you are currently receiving benefits

If you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support and would like to report a change in circumstances, let us know by completing one of our change in circumstance forms.

If you need help completing a form

If you need help filling in a Council Tax, benefits or Change of Circumstances form then visit one of our Customer Contact Centres and our customer service team can help. Visit our Contact Us page for information on Customer Contact Centre opening hours.

Or you can call our revenues and benefits team on 03004 560560.

Council Tax bill explained

 Read the pdf Wychavon resident leaflet (9.38 MB) to find out what we do for you and how we spend your money.

Use the links below to find the information you need:

Who you pay Council Tax to

You pay Council Tax to five different organisations. Each one charges a different amount for their services. These different amounts are added together to make your total Council Tax bill. Wychavon is responsible for collecting the money and passing it on to these other organisations.

In this area you pay Council Tax to these organisations.

Worcestershire County Council

For every pound you pay in Council Tax, 73p is given to Worcestershire County Council. This pays for services including, but not limited to, adult social care, looked after children, road and path maintenance, libraries and waste disposal.

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner

In 2024/25 you will pay 13p in every pound to the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner. This is to help fight crime and keep communities safe.

We keep just 6p in every pound you give us in Council Tax. This funds services including waste and recycling collections, planning services, business support, housing, parks, public toilets, elections, community safety and much more.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service

The fire service gets 5p out of every pound of Council Tax. Your money helps to support the work of this service including tackling fires, dealing with road traffic collisions and responding to major emergencies like flooding.

Town/parish council

Every area in Wychavon has a town or parish council. 3p in every pound goes to them. The services they run vary but they can include parks/playgrounds, allotments, cemeteries, bus shelters, Christmas lights and they also comment on planning applications.

Additional charge for adult social care

Adult social care authorities, in our case Worcestershire County Council, are able to increase their share of the Council Tax bill by an extra amount without holding a referendum. For Worcestershire in 2024/25 this is 2% and is specifically to fund the cost of adult social care and is on top of any increase to fund the day-to-day running of services.

More detailed information on how other organisations that charge Council Tax spend your money is available below:

How Worcestershire County Council spends your Council Tax

Below is a message from Cllr Simon Geraghty, Leader of Worcestershire County Council.

I recognise this year will be a tough one for many people across the county. Worcestershire County Council is facing similar challenges too from the impact of inflation on costs and increasing demand for services adding significantly to the pressure on our budget.

With more vulnerable people needing our support than ever before, and with the cost of this care increasing significantly, our budget reflects this added pressure. Government is providing much-needed additional funding, and we have a programme of further efficiencies and reform, however the rising costs and demand on our key services have meant we need a rise in council tax to be able to continue to fund essential services.

The Government is providing additional funding and we are reforming the way we work to deliver savings and efficiencies. However, this is not enough to meet the budget pressures and therefore we need to increase Council Tax to be able to adequately fund these services.

Our Council Tax will though remain one of the lowest of any comparable County Council in the country. The additional funding will mean we can continue to deliver vital children’s and adult social care to protect the most vulnerable in our society, on which we now spend over 70% of our revenue budget. It will also enable us to maintain our commitments to invest in the priorities that you have told us are most important. These include better roads and pavements, tackling 
congestion and improving public transport alongside investments in the economy, environment and extra school places

Worcestershire County Council's Budget for 2024/25

In the 2024/25 financial year Worcestershire County Council's net budget will be £401 million broken down as follows:

  • £168 million on Adult Social Care, Public Health and Communities 
  • £97 million for Children’s Services
  • £76 million for Economy, Infrastructure and Environment
  • £35 million for Home to School Transport
  • £57 million for Support Services including Finance and Legal

Worcestershire County Council will make investments in the following areas:

  • A total of £34m to improve roads and £6m to improve pavements this year
  • £78.8m on improving and building new schools including Foxlydiate in Redditch.
  • £20.2m on walking and cycling improvements include Hampton and Kepax bridges.
  • £53m on cutting congestion and infrastructure improvements including A38 in Bromsgrove
  • £17.3m to improve rail station facilities
  • £4.6m to continue with our street light improvement programme

With a Gross Budget from Council Tax and Government Grants, Worcestershire County Council will be spending a record amount to help protect the most vulnerable people in our communities:

  • £295 million for those who need Adult Social care in 24/25
  • £177 million to improve the lives of Children and Young People
  • £91 million to support people to live independently for longer through Public Health and Communities

Visit Worcestershire County Council's website for more information on how they spend your Council Tax.

How Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority Spend your Council Tax

Visit the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority website for more information on how they spend your Council Tax.

Council Tax charges

You can check your Council Tax band and the annual charge for your property using Wychavon's My Local Area search. This information will also be on your Council Tax bill.

If you are unsure which band a property is in you can find out by going to the Valuation Office Agency website and searching the Council Tax lists pages.

The charges shown assume that no discounts or exemptions apply. To see if you or the property would qualify for a discount or exemption, please go to our Council Tax discounts and exemptions page.

You may also be entitled to a reduction by qualifying for benefit.  Please go to our Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit pages for more information.

If you cannot find the information you require then please contact our Council Tax team.

Help to pay your Council Tax bill

Depending on your circumstances you may qualify for help with paying your Council Tax bill. Visit our Council Tax Support page for more information.

You may also qualify for certain discounts and exemptions on your Council Tax bill.

Get your Council Tax bill by email or pay online

You can now get your Council Tax bill straight to your inbox as well as make payments online. Sign up for a Council Tax self-service account.

Council Tax Valuation and Banding

Most residential properties are subject to Council Tax. There will be one bill per property, whether it is a house, bungalow, flat, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat, and whether it is owned or rented.

Each property has been placed in one of eight bands according to its open market capital value at 1 April 1991 and this is based on certain assumptions:

  • vacant possession
  • a freehold interest or;
  • if a flat, a 99 year leasehold at a nominal rental and
  • the property being in a reasonable state of repair.

The bands are as follows:

  • Band A up to £40,000
  • Band B between £40,001 and £52,000
  • Band C between £52,001 and £68,000
  • Band D between £68,001 and £88,000
  • Band E between £88,001 and £120,000
  • Band F between £120,001 and £160,000
  • Band G between £160,001 and £320,000
  • Band H more than £320,000

Your Council Tax bill will tell you which band applies to your property.

You can inspect the Valuation List on the Valuation Office Agency website or at a Wychavon Community Contact Centre in Droitwich Spa, Evesham and Pershore.

Find your Council Tax band

You can check your Council Tax band or rate using My Local Area by putting in your postcode into the database.

Appeal your Council Tax valuation

If you think you have been placed in the wrong Council Tax band then you can challenge it by contacting the Valuation Office Agency. Visit challenge your council tax band on the Government's website for more information on how to do this. 

You can also find more information on Wychavon's appeal your Council Tax page.

Discounts and exemptions

You might be entitled to receive a reduction or an exemption on your Council Tax bill. Find out if you are eligible:

While you are waiting to see if your application for a reduction or exemption has been successful, please continue to pay the instalments shown on your original bill until your account is updated and the new bill arrives.

Discounts

The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are two adults living in one household. However, if you are the only adult who lives in your home or if you mainly live in a job-related residence, then your bill can be reduced (read single person discount section and second home discount section).

Single person discount

If you are the only adult that lives in your property (as their main home) and you are over the age of 18 years old, your Council Tax bill will be reduced by a 25%.

Some people are not counted as a second resident for council tax bills, even if they do live with you. See below for a list of people who are disregarded as a second adult.

Apply online for a single person discount

We are conducting a review of all single person discounts, to help you complete the review forms pdf read the frequently asked questions (324 KB) .

We don't include all adults that live in a property when processing a Council Tax bill for a household, see below. Apply online or download to complete the relevant forms if you think you are eligible:

Full-time students, non-British spouses/dependents of students

 Apply online

Student nurses and Youth Training trainees

Apply online

Apprentices

 pdf Download (252 KB)

Patients permanently a resident in the hospital

  

People who are being looked after in care homes

  

People who are severely mentally impaired

 pdf Download (162 KB)

People staying in certain hostels or night shelters

  

18 and 19 year olds who are at or have just left school

 Apply online

Careworkers working for low pay, usually for charities

  

People caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18

 Apply online

Members of visiting overseas forces and certain international institutions

  

Members of religious communities (monks and nuns)

  

People in prison (except those in prison for non-payment of Council Tax or a fine)

 Apply online

Diplomats and members of international organisations headquartered in the UK

  

Empty properties

If a property is unoccupied, a 100% discount will apply for one month since the property was last empty and unfurnished, after which a 100% charge will apply.

Newly built properties that are unoccupied and unfurnished will receive a 100% discount for 3 months. After which they will be liable for a full charge.

Unoccupied and unfurnished properties in need of or undergoing major repair work to render them habitable can now claim a 100% discount for a maximum period of 12 months, instead of an exemption. After 12 months a 100% charge applies.

Apply online complete the relevant forms: 

Property left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished

 Apply online
Property requiring or undergoing major repairs or undergoing structural alteration* Apply online

* Major repair work to make the property habitable, not in order to upgrade facilities. We look at whether the property was in need of major repair work before the start of the work, rather than as a result of the work. For example, If a property becomes uninhabitable because the bathroom and kitchen have been removed for replacement this would not generally constitute a need for ‘repair’.

Long term empty premium

From 1st April 2013, all properties (apart from some unoccupied annexes or job-related Ministry of Defence accommodation) which have been unoccupied and unfurnished for more than 2 years will be liable to pay 150%. The 2 years can have started before 1st April 2013. If at 1st April 2013, the property had not been empty and unfurnished for 2 years, the charge will be 100% until the 2 years expires, when it will become a charge of 150%.

Following changes to legislation during 2018, the premium will now be increased to 100% from 1 April 2019. This means that with effect from 1 April 2019 where a property has been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished / empty for more than 2 years you will now be liable to pay 200%.

When deciding whether the premium should apply we may take into consideration the reasons why properties are unoccupied and unfurnished, including whether they are available for sale or rent. Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you wish to discuss this further.  

Family annexes

If you currently have an annexe which is lived in by a family member, you can receive a 50% Council Tax discount on the annexe. The discount is not based on occupation or furniture but on the use of the annexe by the resident of the main building or occupation by a family member. If a non-family member occupies an annexe the discount will not apply. For more details about annexes visit gov.uk

Application for Council Tax Annexe discount form Apply online

People with disabilities

If you, or someone who lives with you, is in need of an extra bathroom, adapted kitchen, or extra space in your property because of wheelchair use indoors, you may be entitled to a reduced Council Tax bill.

(Financial and technical assistance is available to assist in adapting homes to meet the needs of disabled children and adults. For more information see our Disabled Facilities Grant page)

Contact the Listing Officer if your home has any special fixtures that have been added for a disabled resident which reduce the home's value. Also if you do not think they have been taken into account in the valuation band to which your home has been assigned.

You may also be entitled to travel concessions. Visit Worcestershire County Council website for information..

Application for Council Tax disablement reduction Apply online

Second adult rebate (2AR)

If you are pension aged and have a second adult living with you, you could be entitled to receive a reduction in your Council Tax bill. To receive the discount, the adult that lives with you cannot be your partner and must be on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits.

To claim this discount, simply tick the relevant answer to the question on our Self Service portal.

Second homes discount

Changes to the charge applied to Second Homes from 1st April 2025

Under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, councils were given the discretion to charge additional council tax of up to 100% on furnished / second homes not used as a sole or main residence.

With effect from 1 April 2025, Wychavon District Councils elected members have voted to use discretionary powers granted under Section 11C and 11D of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to charge an additional 100% Council Tax premium on second homes, furnished properties which are no one’s sole or main residence, subject to legislation. This means that the charge will increase to 200%.

The government intends to introduce exceptions from the second home premium. These exceptions and how to apply for them will be shared here when available. In the meantime you can review the government consultation. 

If your reasons for having a second home is job-related, you may be eligible for a 50% discount. You may qualify for a discount if you are liable for paying Council Tax on a second furnished property, a discount will be applied to the dwelling which is not your main residence.

One of the properties must fall into Class A, B or C shown below:

A - The property is provided to you, or to your spouse/civil partner, because of your employment and it is necessary for the proper performance of duties (as stated in your employment contract) i.e. tied accommodation.

B - The property is occupied as a residence from which you, or your spouse/civil partner, perform the duties of a Minister of any religious denomination.

C - You are in the armed forces and have your main residence in the UK in the Ministry of Defence accommodation which is exempt from Council Tax under Class O.

This discount is not applicable:

  • if you have a second property in the locality of your place of work but you do not perform the duties of your employment from that address. There must be a direct link between your work and the property, such as a caretaker, landlord of a pub or schoolmaster
  • unless both your addresses are in England, Wales or Scotland 
  • If you are not the liable person for Council Tax at both properties (unless the property is provided by the ministry of defence or for a minister of religion to perform his duties).
  • if you are a director or a partner in the company providing the accommodation (unless you are a full time working director/partner or the company is non-profit making or charitable).
Application for Council Tax second home discount Apply online

Exemptions

Some dwellings are exempt from Council Tax. These are the classes of exempt dwellings, apply online or download to complete the applicable forms:

A.

Uninhabitable property and empty property undergoing structural alteration or repairs. (Please note that from 1st April 2013, the government has abolished this exemption. We are replacing this with a discount of 100%. This discount will apply for a maximum period of 12 months (as long as the property remains empty and unfurnished).  After 12 months a 100% charge applies. Class D Discount - dwellings requiring or undergoing major repairs or undergoing structural alteration.)

  
B. Unoccupied property owned by a charity, for a period of up to six months since last occupied.  After six months a 100% charge applies.  
C. Please note that from 01 April 2013, the government has replaced this exemption with a discount. This will be awarded as a local discount.  
D. Unoccupied property because the person who would otherwise occupy the property is in prison. Apply online
E. Unoccupied property because the person who would otherwise occupy the property is a permanent resident in a hospital or a nursing home. Apply online
F. Unoccupied property where probate or letters of administration have not yet been granted, and for a period of up to six months after the date such grant is made.  A 100% charge will then apply.  
G. Empty property whose occupation is prohibited by law.  This may include properties where a planning restriction on occupation applies. Apply online
H. Unoccupied property held available for use of ministers of religion from which to carry out their duties.  
I. Unoccupied because the person subject to the tax has their sole or main residence elsewhere in order to receive care. Apply online
J. Unoccupied because the person subject to the tax has their sole or main residence elsewhere in order to provide care. Apply online
K. Unoccupied, where the person subject to the tax is a student and has been since he/she last occupied the property.  
L. Property that has been repossessed under a mortgage.  
M. Student halls of residence.  
N. Premises where ALL the residents are students. Apply online
O. Property owned by the Ministry of Defence and held available for occupation by serving personnel.  
P. Property occupied by members of visiting forces or certain international organisations.  
Q. Property left empty by a bankrupt.  
R. Unused caravan pitch or boat mooring.  
S. Property occupied only by people under 18 years of age. Apply online
T. Unoccupied ancillary accommodation (e.g. annexes) which may not be let separately without being in breach of planning regulations. Apply online
U. Property occupied only by people who are severely mentally impaired. pdf Download (162 KB)
V. Property occupied by a foreign diplomat or a member of an international organisation headquartered in the U.K.  
W. Any part of a property (e.g. annexes) which is occupied by a dependent relative where the relative is either over 65, severely mentally impaired, or substantially and permanently disabled. pdf Download (217 KB)

If you believe your property may qualify or that you may be entitled to a discount, and this is not shown on your bill you should contact us. If your bill shows that a discount or exemption has been applied and your circumstances have changed, then let us know straight away.

If you don't you could be liable to pay a penalty of £70. Failure to provide the correct information may make you liable to pay a further penalty of £200.

Struggling to afford your Council Tax bill?
Usually, bills are paid in 10 monthly instalments and you get a tax break in February and March. We can help if you are having trouble paying your Council Tax. Find out how to request a change to your Council Tax instalments.

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