A property is exempt from Council Tax if it's empty because the person who lived there has moved out to receive care.

If you still live in the property, you could apply for a discount as an unpaid carer.

This exemption does not apply if the person has moved into a care home or hospital. Apply for a discount if someone's moved into a care home or hospital.

The person who's moved out must:

  • have been liable for Council Tax at the property
  • have lived in the property as their sole or main home
  • be permanently living with someone else to receive care
  • not have returned to live in their property since moving out
  • not have lived anywhere else in between moving out of their home to where they're living now

They must need care because of:

  • old age
  • a disability
  • illness
  • alcohol or drug dependency
  • a past or present mental health condition

You must apply for this exemption, you will not get it automatically.

You must pay Council Tax while you wait for us to decide if you're eligible for a discount. If you do not pay, we'll start the Council Tax recovery process.

Who can apply

The person who's receiving care, a family member or a representative can apply.

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 exemption.  

Information about the person who's moved out

You'll need to tell us:

  • their full name
  • the full address of the property they left
  • the Council Tax account number, if you know it
  • their contact details
  • the date they moved out

Information about the person providing care

  • their full name
  • their contact details
  • the address where they provide care to the person who now lives with them

Apply

Download and fill in the application form:

Someone's moved out to receive care Council Tax exemption application form
PDF ‐ 70.66 KB

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 exemption, 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, you can appeal our decision.