CHECKS are to be carried out across the district to ensure householders aren't claiming single person council tax discount fraudulently.

Adults living alone are eligible for a 25 per cent reduction and Bradford Council awards the discount to more than 71,000 single-occupancy homes, which equated to more than £18 million in the last financial year.

The authority, working with Northgate Public Services, is now writing to a number of those claiming the reduction to confirm their status.

Martin Stubbs, the council's assistant director for revenues and benefits, said: "We believe most council tax discounts are claimed honestly and legitimately and we know there are times when household circumstances change and people forget to tell us.

"However, people have a legal duty to inform the council if they think they no longer qualify for a discount.

"If anyone gets a single person discount – or any other council tax benefit – they think they are no longer entitled to, I would strongly urge them to contact us now.

"It is in the best interest of residents to tell us as soon as they can, as any changes must be backdated, so householders do not benefit from withholding information from us.

"A delay in telling us could mean some households find that they have a considerable amount of council tax arrears to pay."

Anyone unsure whether they qualify for a discount can get details from the council's website at bradford.gov.uk.