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
  • past or present 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.  

On the form you'll need to tell us about the person who's moved out and their carer.

Proof we need

Information that shows the person has moved out. Depending on the situation, we need:

  • copies of utility bills showing their accounts are closed (required)
  • confirmation that the property is actively on the open sales market - this can be a link to the property listing (if applicable)
  • a copy of a Deed of Surrender to show that their tenancy has ended (if applicable)

Information that supports why the person needed to move out to receive care. For example:  

  • hospital discharge papers  
  • a letter from a doctor

If you're applying on behalf of the person who's moved out, we also need their permission to discuss their Council Tax account with you.

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.