Single person council tax discount in County Durham
Live alone in County Durham? You can take 25% off your council tax bill. A Band D household saves £577 a year, around £48 a month.
Quick answer
The single person discount in County Durham is 25% off your annual council tax bill, the same rate used across England. For a Band D property paying £2,306 a year, the discount works out at £577, leaving £1,729 to pay. You qualify if you are the only adult resident. Apply on County Durham Council's website.
Who qualifies?
You qualify if you are the only person aged 18 or over living at the property as your main home. The following people are not counted as adults for council tax, so you still get the discount if they live with you:
- Children under 18Single-parent households qualify in full.
- Full-time studentsUniversity, college, and apprentices under 25.
- Live-in carersCarers looking after someone other than a spouse.
- Severe mental impairmentA diagnosed adult is not counted. The carer or sole occupier still gets 25% off.
- Diplomats and visiting forcesNot counted as adult residents.
What you pay by band in County Durham
The 25% saving is applied to the headline annual charge for your band. Figures are for the 2025/26 financial year.
| Band | Full charge | After 25% off | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | £1,537 | £1,153 | £384 |
| B | £1,794 | £1,345 | £449 |
| C | £2,050 | £1,537 | £513 |
| D | £2,306 | £1,729 | £577 |
| E | £2,818 | £2,113 | £705 |
| F | £3,331 | £2,498 | £833 |
| G | £3,843 | £2,882 | £961 |
| H | £4,612 | £3,459 | £1,153 |
Don't know your band? Check it on the official VOA council tax band lookup by postcode, or use our council tax checker.
How to apply in County Durham
- 1Find your council tax account number. It's on any council tax bill or letter from County Durham Council.
- 2Go to County Durham Council's website. Search for “single person discount” or “council tax discount”. Most councils take applications online; a few still need a paper form by post.
- 3Submit the date you became the sole adult resident. The discount is backdated to that date, not the date of your application.
- 4Wait for confirmation. Most councils take 2 to 4 weeks. County Durham Council will issue a revised bill showing the new monthly figure.
If someone moves in
Tell County Durham Council within 21 days if another adult moves in or you no longer qualify. If you don't, the council can recover the discount you've had since the change, add a penalty (typically £70 plus interest), and switch you to the full rate. The discount review happens roughly every two years anyway, so honesty is by far the cheaper path.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the single person council tax discount in County Durham?▾
The discount is 25% of your annual council tax bill. For a Band D property in County Durham, that works out at £577 off the headline £2,306 bill, leaving £1,729 to pay across the year.
Who counts as a single occupant for the discount?▾
You qualify if you are the only adult (over 18) living at the property as your main home. Children, full-time students, and live-in carers do not count towards the adult headcount, so a single parent with children or a sole carer for someone with a severe mental impairment still gets the 25% off.
Does the discount apply to second homes in County Durham?▾
No. The single person discount applies only to your main residence. Second homes are charged in full and many councils now apply a 100% premium on second homes after a short empty period. Check County Durham Council's second home rules separately if this applies.
How do I apply for the single person discount in County Durham?▾
Apply directly through County Durham Council's website. Most councils ask for your council tax account number, the date you became a single occupant, and proof that no other adult lives there. The discount is usually backdated to the date you became eligible, not the date you applied.
Will the discount be reviewed?▾
Yes. County Durham Council periodically asks single-person households to confirm they still qualify, usually every two years. You must also tell them within 21 days if another adult moves in, otherwise you can be charged a penalty plus the back-dated full rate.
Can I combine the single person discount with other reductions?▾
Yes, in some cases. If you are a single occupant who is also disabled, you may get the disabled band reduction (one band lower) plus the 25% single person discount. If you receive a low income, County Durham also runs a Council Tax Support scheme that can reduce the bill further on top of the single person discount.
Single person discount in nearby councils
The 25% rate is the same across England, Scotland, and Wales. What differs is the annual saving, because each council sets a different Band D headline figure. For context:
More on County Durham council tax
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