Members and dependants of an international headquarters, defence organisation or a visiting force may be eligible for council tax discounts.

Please note - A full council tax bill is based on at least two adults living in a property. Discounts do not apply if at least two people over 18 who live in the same property are counted for council tax purposes. If after discounting occupants there remains only one occupant then a discount of 25% of the council tax bill may be given.

Please note - You must continue to pay council tax in accordance with your bill until your discount has been granted. Failure to do so may result in recovery action which could incur costs.

Discount for members and dependants of international headquarters or defence organisations

Members or dependants of members of organisations designated by an Order in Council under section one of the International Headquarters and Defence Organisations Act 1964 can apply for a council tax discount.

To apply, complete the application form and return it with a letter from the designated organisation confirming that you're eligible for the discount.

Apply for a council tax discount for defence personnel

Discount for members of a visiting force

A person is disregarded or not counted for council tax purposes if they have a relevant association within the meaning of the Visiting Forces Act 1952, with a visiting force from one of the countries to which the act applies.

'Relevant association' means that the person is either of the following:

• a member of that force or a member of a civilian component of that force
• a dependant of a member, provided that the dependant is not a British citizen or is not ordinarily resident in the UK.

If one of the occupiers who would be liable to pay the council tax is a person associated with a visiting force, the property is exempt even though other people may live in the property.

This disregard can only have an effect where the person associated with the visiting force is not a liable person for council tax, for example, where a member of a visiting force lodges with a British citizen.

If the dependant of the member of the visiting force is a British citizen, the disregard does not apply.

To apply, complete the application form and return it with a letter from the visiting force confirming that you're eligible for the discount.

Apply for a council tax discount for members of a visiting force

Appeal

If the Royal Borough of Greenwich decides not to award a discount, you can appeal in the first instance to the Council Tax team within 28 days of notice of the decision stating your reasons. However you may not appeal against the amount of the discount.