Guides › Rent and Deposits › Council Tax: Disabled Band Reduction and Mental Impairment Discount
Council Tax: Disabled Band Reduction and Mental Impairment Discount
The Disabled Band Reduction Scheme drops your Council Tax to the next lowest band, or gives 17% off if you are already in Band A, if your home has extra space needed for a disabled person. People who are severely mentally impaired can get a discount of 25%, 50% or 100%, depending on who else lives in the home. You apply through your council.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Band Reduction
The Scheme
You may qualify if your home is larger than you would need if no occupant were disabled. Your bill drops to the next lowest band, or you get a 17% discount in Band A. You must show an extra bathroom, kitchen or other room needed for the disabled person, or extra space for using a wheelchair. The property must be the main home of at least one disabled person, adult or child. source
Severe Mental Impairment
Discount
You need a certificate from a medical professional such as your GP, and must prove eligibility for certain benefits. If you are severely mentally impaired and live alone, or other adults are severely mentally impaired or full-time students, you get a 100% discount. If everyone else is disregarded you get 50%. If you live with a severely mentally impaired person and either no other adults live there or everyone else is disregarded, you get 25%. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- One bandReduction for a disabled person17% off in Band A
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check whether your home has the extra space the scheme requires.
Step 2 of 5
Ask your GP about the certificate if relevant.
Step 3 of 5
Apply through the GOV.UK Council Tax discount service or your council.
Step 4 of 5
Ask your council about backdating.
Step 5 of 5
Challenge a refusal with your council, then the tribunal if needed.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Local Council
Housing or environmental health team. It can act on landlord breaches.
Council Tax Discounts (GOV.UK)
Check and apply.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Other Council Tax exemptions exist, such as for some student households: check with your council, as this page only covers disabled discounts.
Applies to England.
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Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 14 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people Checked 14 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026