Council Tax Reduction - the decision

This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales

Once the local council has all the information or evidence it needs, it must make a decision on your application for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) as soon as is reasonable.

The local council must tell you in writing when it has made the decision. They will send you a revised Council Tax bill showing your reduced liability to pay Council Tax if you are entitled to a CTR. This is called a Council Tax demand notice.

The Council Tax bill should have the following information:

  • your right to ask for a review of the decision

  • information about how the CTR has been calculated.

When your Council Tax Reduction starts

If you are entitled to a Council Tax Reduction (CTR), the local council will decide on what date your entitlement starts. The reduction in your liability to pay Council Tax should begin from the date of your entitlement to CTR. 

If you become liable for Council Tax for the first time on the property you live in, the reduction cannot be awarded for a date before you became liable.

Your entitlement to CTR is used to reduce the yearly amount of Council Tax on your bill. You might still have to pay some Council Tax, and you'll have to make arrangements to pay it.

If there is a delay in starting your Council Tax Reduction

If there is a delay in starting your Council Tax Reduction (CTR) and you cannot afford to pay the full Council Tax in the meantime, you should tell the local council collection department that you have applied for Council Tax Reduction.

It's better to tell them in writing and keep a copy of the letter in case you build up some arrears. If you tell them by phone, keep a record of the time and date of your call and the name of the person you spoke to.

If you disagree with the decision

If you disagree with the decision on your application, you should write to the local council and ask them to review it. You should say what you think is wrong. You should do this within 2 months of the date that the local council tells you its decision.

Find out more about challenging a Council Tax Reduction decision. 

Complaining about a Council Tax Reduction application

As well as asking for the CTR decision to be reviewed, you can consider making a complaint.

You can complain whether or not you ask for the decision to be looked at again.

Find out more about complaining about a CTR application.

Other help with Council Tax

If you're worried that you won't be able to pay your Council Tax, you might be able to apply for:

  • a discount or reduction off your bill

  • other help to pay the bill.

Find out more about Council Tax.