Renfrewshire Council

You may be able to get a discount on your council tax bill if you or someone living in your home is an apprentice or youth trainee.

Who can get a discount

Apprentice

To qualify as an apprentice, you must be:

• employed to learn a trade, business, profession, office role or vocation
• on a recognised course of training leading to a qualification recognised by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications or the Scottish Vocational Educational Council
• paid no more than £269 per week before taxes.

Youth trainee

To qualify as a youth trainee, you must be under 25 years old.

You must also be taking a relevant course under an individual training plan as defined by the Employment and Training Act 1973.

What kind of discount you may get

If you qualify as an apprentice or youth trainee, you could get:

• 25% council tax discount if you live with another adult
• 50% council tax discount if you live alone.

You'll need to apply for a discount if you're an apprentice or youth trainee, as you will not get it automatically.

Before you apply

You'll need to register for council tax before you can apply for a discount. 

If you have not created an online account with us before, you'll need to register for MyAccount through mygov.scot. You only need an email address to sign up. 

If you've already registered for MyAccount, you do not need to do it again. 

Apprentices

You must provide a letter from your employer confirming your apprenticeship. This must include:

• your weekly income before taxes
• the type of apprenticeship
• qualifications to be achieved on completion
• the date when the apprenticeship started and the date when it will end.

Youth trainee

You must provide evidence confirming your age and a letter from the organisation or company supplying the training. This must include:

• the training course to be undertaken under the Employment and Training Act
• the date when the training started and the date it will end.

How to apply

If you're an apprentice, you should apply using the council tax discount for an apprentice form.

If you're a youth trainee, you should apply using the council tax discount for youth trainee form.

What happens next

We'll let you know of our decision by email.

If your discount is confirmed, we'll send you a revised council tax notice.

You should continue to pay your council tax as normal until you have received a revised notice.

What happens if your circumstances change

If you no longer qualify for a discount, you must tell us of your change in status.

We'll then update your council tax account and send you a new bill.

You may have to pay a fine if you do not tell us.

Get help with paying your council tax

If you think you may not be able to make your council tax payment, phone us on 0300 300 0300 and ask for advice. There may be support available to help you avoid missing your payments.