A property that is not lived in while the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person is being completed.
After the death of the owner, the exemption can apply while probate is being obtained, and for up to six months after probate has been granted. This additional six-month period is available only if the property remains part of the estate and has not been fully transferred to a specific individual or individuals.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
A property that is not lived in because the owner or tenant is receiving personal care elsewhere, such as in a relative's home.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
A property that is unoccupied because the owner or tenant has moved to another location to care for someone else.
They must be providing care due to one of the following reasons:
- old age
- disablement
- illness
- past or present drug dependence
- mental disorder
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
A property that is unoccupied because the owner or tenant has moved into residential care.
A permanent move means that they will never be returning to the property. If the move is on a temporary or trial basis for example respite, you'll need to fill in this form once the move becomes permanent.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
A property that is not lived in because the owner or tenant is currently in prison or hospital.
Other place of detention means you have been detained by order of court, pending deportation under the Immigration Act 1971 or have been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
Buildings or land owned by a charitable organization that are not lived in. For these purposes a charity can be an:
- industrial and provident society
- friendly society
- registered charity
You can confirm if you are registered as a charity using the relevant links:
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
A property that is not lived in because it's reserved for a religious leader who has not yet moved in.
If a property is unoccupied but is intended to be used by a minister of religion as their residence and base for performing religious duties, it can be granted an exemption during the period it remains unoccupied.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
A property that is not lived in and was last used as a residence by a student.
To qualify for this exemption, you need to own your property and have become a student, or will become a student within 6 weeks of leaving your property.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
A property that is not lived in because the owner has declared bankruptcy and may have left the premises.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
Properties taken back by a lender, usually a bank, because the owner failed to keep up with mortgage payments.
You should only submit this form once the date of the repossession is known.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
A secondary building or extension to a main property that is unoccupied and cannot be rented out due to local planning regulations.
An annexe is self-contained accommodation, sometimes known as a granny flat, which is usually an extension of the main house. It will be banded separately for council tax and would not be able to be sold or let separately.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
A designated spot for parking a caravan or docking a boat that is currently unoccupied.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.
Properties or spaces that cannot be legally occupied due to specific legal restrictions or regulations.
You will need to provide one of following documents, this will need to be uploaded when you complete the council tax exemption application :
- a prohibition order
- an emergency prohibition order
- a demolition order
A Prohibition Order is a legal notice that stops people from living in or using parts of a property because it's unsafe. It's issued by local authorities when there are serious health or safety risks. If the hazards are fixed, the order can be lifted.
An Emergency Prohibition Order is a legal notice that immediately stops people from living in, or using parts of a property because it's extremely unsafe and poses an immediate risk of serious harm.
A Demolition Order is a legal notice that requires the owner to demolish a property because it has serious safety hazards and is not fit for living. This order is issued by local authorities to ensure public safety
If you do not have this documentation, you can contact the private housing team by emailing private.housing@bristol.gov.uk.
Police closure order or Avon Fire and Rescue Service's prohibition orders
If you've received either a police closure order or an Avon Fire and Rescue Service's Prohibition Order this will need to be uploaded when you complete the council tax exemption application.
A Police Closure Order is a legal notice that immediately stops people from entering a property because it's causing serious nuisance or disorder. It's issued by the police or local authorities to protect the public.
If you do not have this documentation contact Avon and Somerset Police.
An Avon Fire and Rescue Service Prohibition Order is a legal notice that stops people from using parts of a property because it's a fire hazard and unsafe. It's issued to protect people from fire risks.
If you do not have this documentation contact Avon Fire and Rescue Service.
Apply for a council tax exemption
You should continue to pay in line with any bills you have received whilst you await the outcome of your application.