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Due to the high temperatures forecasted, our bin crews will be starting collections earlier than usual to help keep them safe in the heat. Please make sure your bins are out the night before, as collections will take place from 6.00am for the rest of the week. Thank you for helping our crews work safely during the hot weather.

Property annexes

Annexe is being used by the occupants of the main property

An annexe is self contained unit that could be:

  • a building
  • part of a building

Its used as separate living accommodation. It may share common services and an entrance with the main house.

If the annexe has a council tax band and you are the council tax payer for the main property, you can apply for a discount.

You can apply for a 50% discount on the council tax charge for the annexe if:

  • the annexe forms part of the main property
  • the annexe is being used as part of the main property by the person who is the council tax payer of the main property

The council tax discount will apply to the annexe, not the main property.

How to apply

  1. log in to your MyGuildford account (opens new window)
  2. click the 'council tax and benefits' tile
  3. select 'continue' on the 'view other services' page
  4. select 'council tax' on the 'your services' page
  5. on your account summary page, find the list of quick links
  • if you're using a computer or laptop these will be on the right-hand side of the screen
  • if you're using a mobile device, click 'quick links'
  1. in the list of quick links find 'empty property discounts'
  2. fill in the form. You'll need to tell us:
  • the date the annexe started being used by the occupants of the main property

Annexe is occupied by a dependant relative

An annexe is exempt from council tax if:

  • the annexe is separately banded for council tax, and
  • you are a dependant relative of the owner of the main property, and
  • you are living in it as your main or only home

This means you don't have to pay council tax for the annexe.

For the purposes of the exemption, a relative is defined as:

  • husband, wife or partner
  • parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister
  • uncle or aunt, nephew or niece
  • great-grandparent, great-grandchild, great-uncle, great-aunt, great-nephew or great-niece

To qualify as dependant you must be either:

  • over 65 years old
  • substantially or permanently disabled
  • severely mentally impaired

How to apply

You can apply online for the exemption. You'll need to apply through your MyGuildford account. 

To apply, you'll need to:

  1. log in to your MyGuildford account (opens new window)
  2. click the 'council tax and benefits' tile
  3. select 'continue' on the 'view other services' page
  4. select 'council tax' on the 'your services' page
  5. on your account summary page, find the list of quick links
  • if you're using a computer or laptop these will be on the right-hand side of the screen
  • if you're using a mobile device, click 'quick links'
  1. in the list of quick links find 'apply for or cancel an exemption'
  2. fill in the form. You'll need to tell us:
  • the date the property annexe became occupied

Property annexes that are unoccupied

If your annexe has a council tax band and:

  • it is unoccupied
  • there is planning permission in place. This must say that the property can only be used as 'ancillary accommodation'

The annexe will be exempt from council tax. This means you don't have to pay council tax for the annexe.

How to apply

  1. log in to your MyGuildford account (opens new window)
  2. click the 'council tax and benefits' tile
  3. select 'continue' on the 'view other services' page
  4. select 'council tax' on the 'your services' page
  5. on your account summary page, find the list of quick links
  • if you're using a computer or laptop these will be on the right-hand side of the screen
  • if you're using a mobile device, click 'quick links'
  1. in the list of quick links find 'apply for or cancel an exemption'
  2. fill in the form. You'll need to tell us:
  • the date the property annexe became unoccupied

Tell us about any changes

If someone moves into or out of the annexe, you may no longer qualify for an exemption.

Tell us about the change

You can tell us about a change online through your MyGuildford account. 

You'll need to:

  1. log in to your MyGuildford account (opens new window)
  2. click the 'council tax and benefits' tile
  3. select 'continue' on the 'view other services' page
  4. select 'council tax' on the 'your services' page
  5. on your account summary page, find the list of quick links
  • if you're using a computer or laptop these will be on the right-hand side of the screen
  • if you're using a mobile device, click 'quick links'
  1. to tell us about a change to:
  • an annexe being used by the occupants of the main property click 'empty property discounts' in the list of quick links
  • an annexe occupied by a dependant relative or an unoccupied annexe click 'apply for or cancel an exemption' in the list of quick links
  1. follow the steps on the form

What happens next?

We will contact you if we need any further information.

If you are entitled to an exemption, we will send you a new bill.