You could be entitled to a discount in the amount of council tax in Reading if you fall into eligible categories.
Reading Borough Council has just set council tax levels for the upcoming 2025/26 financial year, which starts in April.
The most commonly applicable form of discount is the single-person discount, which typically applies to those living in self-contained flats.
If you are the only person living in your flat or home, you can get a 25 per cent discount on your council tax bill for the year.
Care Leavers – people who leave the care of children’s services – are also entitled to a council tax discount depending on age.
Those who have left care aged 18-20 are exempt from paying, with those aged 21-22 getting a 66 per cent discount and those aged 23-24 being entitled to a 33 per cent discount.
A large 50 per cent discount is applicable if you live in a second home that’s classed as a ‘job-related dwelling’.
This applies if you as an employee need to live at the property to carry out your duties of employment.
During application, you will need to explain your employment duties which you perform from the address and why you must reside in that property to perform the duties of your employment.
The discount typically applies to a job where it is customary for employers to provide accommodation and the accommodation is required for better performance of the duties of employment.
Also, there are cases where people are contracted to live at a property, or must live there to properly fulfil the duties of employment.
To be eligible for the 50 per cent discount, there must be a direct link between your work and the property, such as being a caretaker, a pub landlord or a school teacher.
Discounts are also available for those with disabilities.
Levels of council tax, including the discounts, were approved at a full council meeting on Tuesday, February 25.
There are indications that the reductions are less than what people would have been able to claim under council tax benefit.
Councillor Dave McElroy (Green, Redlands) said: “Council tax is again going up on average by more than £100 (£101).
“Limited discounts for some vulnerable residents remain less than they were under Council Tax Benefit.”
Replying, cllr Liz Terry (Labour, Coley), the council leader, said: ” You suggest that discounts are limited but this isn’t true.
“Over 24,500 households in Reading will benefit from reductions in their Council Tax and those reductions amount to over £30m per annum.”
Furthermore, she said that 70 per cent of people living in Reading are in Band C properties or lower.
