Council Tax Billing

Apply using our online form: Council Tax Discount Application

No documentation needed.

To apply, send an email to [email protected].

You will need to provide a Certificate of Full Time Education from your school, college or university to prove you are a full-time student. Your college must provide this. They must submit this for every student in the property.

To apply, email your details to [email protected].

You will need to provide a Certificate of Full Time Education from your school, college or university to prove you are a full-time student. Your college must provide this. They must submit a form for every student in the property.

Apply using our online form: eClaim Form

CTRS Documentation needed:

For proof of identity an original copy is required.  

This can be:

• Passport
• Driving Licence
• Birth Certificate
• Searchlight if on passported benefit

For other evidence types a copy is acceptable.

Earnings:

• Payslips 
• contract of employment 
• VEP 
• letter from employer 
• Earnings Certificate

Pensions:

• Payslips 
• Letter from Pension Provider

Benefits:

• Letter from DWP 
• Screenshots of UC award

Rent: 

• Tenancy Agreement 
  Proof or rental payments

Capital: 

• Bank Statements
• Evidence of stocks / shares

Students:

• Letter from college / university 
  Evidence of student finance   

Apply using our online form: Council Tax Discount Application

Part of the form requires you to download another form which then needs to be sent to the GP for completing and signing. You will also need to provide proof of a qualifying benefit (seen below).

• Incapacity Benefit (short-term)
• Attendance Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Care Component of a Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher rate)
• An Increase in the rate of Disablement Pension, where constant attendance is needed
• An increase in the rate of Disablement Pension, where constant attendance is needed
• Disability Working Allowance
• Unemployability Supplement
• Income Support that includes disability premium
• Incapacity Benefit (long-term)
• Standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of the Personal Independence Payment
• Employment Support Allowance (Income related or contributory)

Please email the details to [email protected].

The term Freeman of the Land refers to a set of beliefs asserting that individuals can opt out of statutory laws and obligations by declaring themselves independent of the state. People who adopt this position often argue that:

• Statute law requires consent and they can therefore choose not to be bound by it
• Only “common law” applies to them
• Contracts must be agreed to explicitly, and they have not entered a contract with the Council
• Government bodies must prove jurisdiction, often through pseudo‑legal arguments or demands for documents that have no basis in law

These ideas are widely recognised by UK courts and public bodies as legally unfounded. They do not provide a defence against statutory duties such as Council Tax. 

Local authorities across the UK, including West Northamptonshire Council, follow established legislation. The Council’s position in relation to claims of ‘Freeman of the Land’ is consistent with national case law and statutory requirements:

• Council Tax is a legal obligation, created by the Local Government Finance Act 1992. It applies to all domestic properties, regardless of personal beliefs or declarations
• Consent is not required. Council Tax liability arises automatically from occupation or ownership of a dwelling
• Freeman‑of‑the‑Land arguments have no legal standing. Courts have repeatedly ruled that such arguments do not exempt individuals from statutory duties
• Non‑payment leads to enforcement. If Council Tax is not paid, the Council may obtain a Liability Order and take recovery action, including enforcement agents, attachment of earnings/benefits, or charging orders
• Correspondence based on pseudo‑legal arguments will not prevent recovery action. The Council will continue to follow statutory processes even if a resident disputes liability using Freeman‑of‑the‑Land reasoning