Registering for council tax
Once you are 18 years old, you must register for Council Tax if you have your own tenancy or are the main householder in a property.
Find out more about council tax on The Mix website.
Claiming discounts
You must tell your local council that you are a care leaver to claim any discounts that you should receive. This includes:
- Council Tax Reduction
- Single Person Discount
- Student Exemption
If you are living in someone else’s household, it could also affect the discounts or benefits of the person you are living with.
Find out more about council tax discounts on the Turn2us website.
Being exempt from council tax
If you live in one of the following areas, you will be exempt from paying council tax up to the age of 21. Exempt means you do not have to pay.
This applies in:
- Basildon
- Braintree
- Brentwood
- Castle Point
- Chelmsford
- Colchester
- Epping Forest
- Harlow
- Maldon
- Rochford
- Tendring
- Uttlesford
Your personal adviser must confirm your care leaver status with the council to make sure you do not pay.
If you are living in someone else’s household but are exempt, this does not mean they have to pay more Council Tax.