Council Tax question

calcotti wrote: »

Not clear to me why they are getting 25% discount. What do the grandsons do?

I'm not certain why they get a discount. It may be because Aunt is both disabled and suffers dementia. It may be that they are moved down a band, rather than getting 25%.

The grandsons - one works full time and the other generally takes care of Aunt as daughter works full time. But daughter works shifts and so the two grandsons look after Aunt when daughter is at work etc. Aunt cannot be left alone because of her advanced dementia and she also has zero mobility due to a fall 18 months ago when she broke both of her legs. She was unable to learn to walk again because of the advancement of her dementia.

venison wrote: »

I can't see a reason why they would get a 25% reduction, and i can see no reason why they would get any further reductions while 2 adults work full time.

They applied for it last year and a chap from the local council visited, and as a result they were awarded this discount. They were not awarded it due to one of the grandsons being registered as a carer for Auntie, because at that point he wasn't registered as a carer.

I have a feeling that the reduction might be due to the Council Tax disability reduction scheme where if you qualify under it, and they would do, you get moved to the next council tax band lower.

calcotti wrote: »

Even if aunt is ignored because of severe mental impairment and grandson were ignored as a carer there would still be two adults in the house so a discount isn’t applicable. I don’t think authority is likely to accept more than one carer for the same person.

Possibly it is a band reduction due to substantial and permanent disability. Can’t see anyway of improving on this.

Presumably aunt is getting DLA, PIP or AA (?). Is grandson getting Carer’s Allowance for looking after her (if not earning more than £120/week).

Note:

Council Tax discount for carers
If you qualify as a carer, we can reduce your bill by 25% or 50% depending on how many people aged 18 or over live in your property and whether those people are counted for Council Tax purposes.
If all but one resident is not counted, we’ll reduce your Council Tax bill by 25%.
If all residents in the property aren’t counted, we’ll reduce your Council Tax bill by 50%.
Eligibility criteria
You are eligible for this discount if all of the following applies to you:
You live at the same property as the person receiving care.
The person you care for is over 18.
You provide care for at least 35 hours a week.
The person you care for is not your spouse or partner.
The person you care for receives any of the following benefits:
Middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance.
Daily living component of Personal Independence Payment at any rate.
Attendance Allowance at any rate.
Armed Forces Independence payment.
Highest rate of Constant Attendance Allowance.
You do not have to claim Carer’s Allowance to qualify for this discount, and your income and savings will not affect your eligibility.

calcotti wrote: »

I’m not clear why you have quoted that. It confirms that a 25% discount applies if only one adult falls to be counted as living in the property. As per previous post even when aunt and grandson are ignored there are still two adults in the house so no discount is applicable. I don’t think Council will accept two Carer’s for the same person (although you/they can ask if you/they wish).

I think that's what I'm wondering, ie could all three be regarded as 'carers', because in fact they are, and therefore be disregarded?

I note that you don't "think" that the council would regard more than one person as a carer, but it would be interesting to ascertain if it is possible I guess.