Council Tax Discounts & Premiums

Difficulty paying your Council Tax

You can apply online for Council Tax Support. You can also spread your payments until March next year. 

Please contact our Revenues and Benefits team for more information by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 0300 456 0560.

If you already receive Council Tax Support it is important to report any changes in your circumstances to us as soon as possible. This can be done by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Council Tax discounts

You may be able to reduce your Council Tax bill if you qualify for a discount or if someone living in your property is disregarded for Council Tax purposes. Use the sections below to find out what discounts are available and how to apply.

Please continue to pay your current Council Tax instalments while we assess your application. If your application is successful, we'll send you a revised bill and if a refund is relevant, we will arrange this with you.

Single Person Discount

You can receive a 25% discount if you are the only adult aged 18 or over living in your property as your main home.

If you receive a Single Person Discount and you are hosting someone under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, they are disregarded for Council Tax purposes. You will usually continue to receive your 25% discount.

Apply online for a single person discount

Discounts for eligible individuals

Some adults are disregarded when we work out your Council Tax bill. This means they are not counted when deciding how many adults live in a property.

You may qualify if someone living in your property is:

Empty properties

If your property is empty and substantially unfurnished, you may qualify for a temporary discount or be charged a premium depending on how long it has been empty.

From 1 April 2026, a 100% premium applies to properties that have been empty for more than 12 months, unless an exception applies. Before 1 April 2026, the premium applied only to properties that had been empty and unfurnished for two years or more.

There are some exceptions to the long-term empty property premium.

pdf Find out more about the exceptions and how to apply (this will take you to the PDF of the exceptions) (154 KB)

Properties undergoing major repairs

If your empty property requires major structural repairs or alterations to make it habitable, you may qualify for a 100% Council Tax discount for up to 12 months. After this period, the full Council Tax charge applies. If the property has been empty for more than 12 months, the empty homes premium may also apply.

Apply for a Major Repairs or Alteration Discount

Newly built empty properties

A newly built property that is empty and unfurnished can receive a 100% discount for up to 3 months.

After three months, the normal Council Tax charge applies.

Second homes (Furnished properties that are no ones sole or main residence)

From 1 April 2025, Worcester City Council charges a 100% Council Tax premium on most second homes. This means you will normally pay 200% Council Tax unless an exception applies.

pdf Find out more about the exceptions and how to apply (this will take you to the PDF of the exceptions) (154 KB)

Job-related second home discount

You may get a 50% Council Tax discount if you are required by your job to live in one property but also pay Council Tax on another property.

You may qualify if one of your homes is:

• provided by your employer because it is needed for your job (for example tied accommodation)
• used so you can carry out your job (for example living at or near your workplace)
• occupied as part of your role as a minister of religion
• Ministry of Defence accommodation that is exempt from Council Tax

The discount can apply to one property only, either:

• the job-related property, or
• your other home (which becomes your second home)

You will not usually qualify if:

• you simply choose to live near your workplace without a job requirement to do so and the employer has not provided the accommodation to live in
• you are not liable for Council Tax on both properties (unless you are in the Armed Forces or a minister of religion)
• you are a director or partner in the company providing the accommodation (unless you are working full-time and the organisation is non-profit or charitable)

Apply for a Second Home Discount

We may ask for:

• your employment contract
• evidence that your accommodation is required for your job
• details of both Council Tax accounts

Tell us if your circumstances change

If you receive a discount, you must tell us immediately if your circumstances change.

For example, if:

• another adult moves into your property
• you move home
• your property becomes occupied
• you no longer qualify for a discount.

If you fail to tell us about a change, you may receive a £70 penalty. A further penalty of £200 may apply if you continue to withhold information.

Contact us

If you think you're entitled to a discount that is not shown on your Council Tax bill, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.