Homes for Ukraine and help with Council Tax

The Homes for Ukraine (HFU) scheme allows people in the UK to sponsor a Ukrainian individual or family to stay with them in their home or another property. 

If you're a sponsor, or a Ukrainian with an HFU visa, you can get help with Council Tax.

Council Tax reductions for sponsors

Sponsors will not lose their existing Council Tax discounts if they host a Ukrainian individual or family.

For example, if you already get a single person discount on Council Tax because you are the only adult living at your property, you will continue to get this discount even though you are no longer the only adult living at the property. 

If your property is exempt from Council Tax, you will not lose your exemption. For example, if your property is exempt because all the people living there are students, you will continue to be to exemption, even if the Ukrainians you host are not students. 

Council Tax reductions for Ukrainians with an HFU visa 

You will be responsible for paying Council Tax if:

• your sponsor provides separate accommodation for you, for example, in another property the sponsor owns but does not live in
• the arrangement with your sponsor has ended and you're renting your own property

If all the residents living in the property have HFU visas, you will receive a 50% discount on your Council Tax. 

You may also be able to claim a Council Tax reduction on the rest of the bill to reduce the amount you have to pay. You can find out more information about Council Tax reductions.

Applying for help with Council Tax

If you're an HFU sponsor or a Ukrainian national with an HFU visa, you can apply for help with Council Tax online.

Before you start

You will need to provide your Council Tax account number shown on your bill. You will also need to send us some details and scans of documents.

If you're a sponsor, you'll need to provide:

• the names of the Ukrainian guests you are hosting
• the date they moved in
• evidence they have permission to enter or stay in the UK under the HFU scheme
• the address of the property they live in

If you're a Ukrainian national, you'll need to provide:

• copies of Ukrainian passports for all residents aged 18 or over - including the page showing the HFU visa
• a Home Office letter confirming you have permission to enter or stay in the UK under the HFU scheme