Apply for a Council Tax discount if you have diplomatic privilege or immunity

You may not be counted for Council Tax if you have diplomatic privileges or immunity. This is also known as being disregarded.

Check who's disregarded for Council Tax.

If you're the only adult living at the property who has diplomatic privilege or immunity, you may be exempt from paying Council Tax.

If you live with another adult who does not have diplomatic privilege or immunity, they could get a 25% discount.

If other disregarded people live in the property, you could get a 50% discount.

You'll need to apply for a discount or exemption. You will not get it automatically.

Who can apply

You can apply if you've been granted diplomatic privileges or immunity by the:

• Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964
• Commonwealth Secretariat Act 1996
• Consular Relations Act 1968
• Commonwealth Countries and Republic of Ireland Order 1985
• International Organisations Act 1968
• Hong Kong Economic Trade Act 1996

Who cannot apply

You cannot apply if you're a:

• British subject
• British citizen
• British Dependent Territories citizen
• British National (overseas) or a British Overseas Citizen
• British protected person
• permanent resident in the United Kingdom

What you need to apply

You'll need to fill in and send us the application form with proof that you're eligible for the discount.

On the form you'll need to tell us:

• your name
• your Council Tax account number
• your address
• the names of everyone over 18 living at the property

Proof we need

We need a:

• letter from your organisation confirming your diplomatic privilege or immunity
• copy of your passport showing your diplomatic status
• copy of a Form 3 stamped by your mission and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

Apply

Download and fill in the application form:

Send your application by post or email to:

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Revenues Service
The Woolwich Centre
35 Wellington Street
London SE18 6HQ

Email: counciltax@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

What happens next

It can take up to 21 days for us to process your application and decide if you're eligible.

We may ask you for more proof.

If you're eligible for the discount, we'll send you an updated bill.

You must tell us within 21 days about any change in your circumstances that may affect your entitlement to a discount or exemption. If you do not tell us, you could get a £70 fixed penalty.

If we decide you're not eligible, we'll tell you in writing. You can appeal our decision.