University Students And Council Tax: Who Pays?

If you're a full-time university student, you're probably wondering if you need to pay council tax. The good news is that, in most cases, full-time students are exempt from paying council tax. This exemption applies to households where everyone is a full-time student, and there is no age limit, so mature students are also covered. However, it's important to note that part-time students are usually required to pay council tax, although they may be eligible for a reduction based on other factors.

Full-time student criteria

To be considered a full-time student for council tax exemption purposes, your course must meet specific criteria.

Firstly, the course must last a minimum of one calendar or academic year, involving at least 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week. This can include foreign language assistants registered with the British Council.

If you are studying for a qualification up to A-level and are under 20 years old, different criteria apply. Your course must last at least three months and involve a minimum of 12 hours of study per week.

It is important to note that these definitions of a full-time student may differ from those used by your educational institution or other organisations. Additionally, once your course officially ends, you will be classified as an adult for council tax purposes and will no longer qualify for student exemptions.

If you are a full-time student, your local council will register you as a "disregarded person," meaning you are not counted as an adult resident in a dwelling for council tax calculations. This status ensures that you are exempt from paying council tax under any circumstances.

Student exemption application

If you are a full-time student, you may be exempt from paying council tax. To be considered a full-time student, your course must meet certain criteria. If you are under 20, your course must last at least 3 months and involve at least 12 hours of study per week. If you are over 20, your course must last at least 24 weeks, involve at least 21 hours of study per week, and be at a recognised educational establishment.

If you live in a household where everyone is a full-time student, you do not need to pay council tax. If your household is not entirely made up of full-time students, you may still qualify for a discount.

To apply for a student exemption or discount, you will need to contact your local council and request a council tax exemption form. You will need to provide supporting documentation, such as proof of your student status and evidence that you live in student accommodation. Here is a checklist of the documents you may need:

• Proof of your student status (e.g. a letter from your university confirming your enrolment or a copy of your student ID card)
• Evidence that you live in student accommodation (e.g. a tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord)
• Proof of your income, if you have any (e.g. a student loan statement or bank statement)
• Any other documents requested by your local council

Once you have completed the form and gathered the necessary documents, submit your application to your local council. They will process your application and inform you of their decision. It is important to apply in a timely manner and provide all the required information to avoid any delays. Keep an eye out for any correspondence from the council regarding your application.

If you are taking a break from your course or are between courses, you may still be considered a student for council tax purposes as long as you remain registered with your university. However, if you have finished one course and are waiting to start another, you may be liable to pay council tax during that period.

If your student exemption application is denied, there are still ways to reduce your council tax bill. You may be able to apply for a council tax discount or reduction, or you can split the cost with your housemates. Remember to keep your landlord and rental agent informed about your exemption status to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings.

Student accommodation

If you're moving into student accommodation, you might not need to pay council tax, but you'll need to check that you're eligible for exemption.

Halls of Residence

If you live in a hall of residence, your council tax exemption should already be in place and you shouldn't need to apply for an exemption.

Sharing with Full-Time Students

If you and all of your housemates are full-time students, you should be exempt from paying council tax.

Sharing with Non-Students

If you're in a shared house with both full-time students and non-students, you'll get a council tax bill each month. However, only the non-student tenants will have to pay it, as full-time students are still exempt. So, if you're living with one non-student, they will have to pay the bill themselves but will receive a single-person discount of 25%.

Criteria for Full-Time Students

To be classified as a full-time student, you must be on a course that lasts at least a year and requires at least 21 hours of study each week. For those studying up to A-Level, your course must last at least 3 months and involve at least 12 hours of study per week.

Student status

Full-time students are usually exempt from paying council tax. However, this depends on several factors, including the type of student, the number of non-students in the household, and the location of the property.

To be considered a full-time student, your course must meet specific criteria. It should last at least one calendar or academic year, involve a minimum of 21 hours of study per week, and be confirmed as a full-time course by the college or university.

If you live in a household where everyone is a full-time student, you will typically be exempt from paying council tax. However, if there are non-students in the household, the situation becomes more complex. In England, Wales, and Scotland, if you share a house with both full-time students and non-students, only the non-student tenants will be required to pay the council tax bill. Additionally, they will receive a single-person discount of 25% if they are the only non-student in the household.

It is important to note that the rules for council tax exemption vary depending on the region. For example, in Northern Ireland, most full-time university students are not exempt from paying domestic rates.

If you receive a council tax bill and believe you are exempt as a full-time student, you can apply for an exemption. You may need to provide proof of your student status, such as a certificate of enrolment or a letter from your university.

Council tax bill calculation

In the UK, council tax is calculated based on the value of the property and the number of adults living there. The system for deciding how much you pay is slightly different depending on where you live in the UK.

England

In England, properties are split into eight bands (A-H), depending on the price they would have sold for in April 1991. The charge for a property in band A is always one-third of the charge for a property in band H.

Scotland

Scottish properties are split into the same number of bands, also based on their value in April 1991, but the band ranges are different.

Wales

Properties in Wales were re-valued in 2003, so property values are based on their market value on 1 April 2003. There are nine valuation bands, labelled A-I.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, there is a rates system instead of council tax. Northern Ireland charges domestic rates, which are calculated by multiplying the rateable capital value of a property by the 'domestic rate poundage'.

Full-time students

If you are a full-time student, your household may be exempt from council tax. To count as a full-time student, your course must last at least one year and involve at least 21 hours of study per week. If you are a full-time student, you will be treated as exempt for council tax purposes, and you are not jointly liable with any non-students in your household.

Frequently asked questions