VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Council Tax: Tax Allowances

Asked by Lisa SmartLiberal DemocratMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 12 March 2026UIN 118294

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has considered (a) introducing statutory Council Tax relief for properties made uninhabitable by severe weather, natural disasters and climate-related events and (b) compensating local authorities for the cost of providing such relief during periods of severe weather and natural disaster.

Answered by Alison McGovern

The Valuation Office Agency is the organisation responsible for determining whether a property is liable for council tax. Council tax is due on all domestic properties, whether they are occupied or not. However, a property may be removed from the council tax list, and no longer liable for council tax, where it has been fully demolished, is truly derelict or undergoing major renovations.

The council tax system contains a range of discounts and exemptions to reflect personal circumstances. The government’s Plain English Guide to Council Tax sets out the support available in the system. Furthermore, councils have the discretionary power to provide their own discounts where they consider this appropriate.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim