International Students And Council Tax: Who Pays?

International students in the UK often have questions about whether they are liable to pay Council Tax. This is a complicated area, as it depends on several factors, including student status, household composition, and income. While full-time students are generally exempt from paying Council Tax, part-time students are not. International students are treated the same as home students, and their non-UK nationality does not exempt them from paying Council Tax.

Are international students exempt from council tax?

International students are treated the same as home students

If you are an international student living with one other adult who is not a full-time student, your property will likely be charged council tax. In this case, you might be able to get a 25% reduction by informing your local authority that you, as an individual, are exempt as a full-time student. However, if you live with more than one non-full-time student, your household will be liable for the full council tax charge.

It is important to note that your student status as an international student means you are not legally liable to pay council tax. However, if you live with non-students, they may still expect you to contribute to the bill. Therefore, it is recommended to discuss financial expectations before committing to living together.

If you are an international student in the UK on a student visa, you must obtain a Council Tax Exemption Certificate once you are fully enrolled and submit this to the Council Tax Office in the borough where you live. This will ensure that you are not pursued for any unpaid council tax bills.

Evidence of student status

International students are treated the same as home students regarding council tax. If you live with non-students, they might still expect you to contribute to the bill, so it's important to discuss this with potential flatmates before you commit to living together.

To qualify for a council tax exemption as a student, you must be enrolled full-time. Evidence of student status varies depending on the local authority, so it is best to speak to your local council to find out what you are required to show. However, here is a list of common forms of evidence:

• Confirmation of Study letter: You can send a copy of this letter to your local council as evidence of your student status. If you are interrupting your studies, you can still request a letter for council tax exemption.
• Council Tax exemption certificate: You can print this certificate from your university student portal or request that your university prints it for you. This certificate should show the dates of your course.
• Letter from the PGR Administration Office: If you are a postgraduate research student in the examination process, you can request a letter from the PGR Administration Office.
• Evidence of restrictions on claiming benefits or working: If your spouse, civil partner, or dependant is not a British citizen, they will be exempt from council tax charges provided they have immigration permission to be in the UK with a 'no recourse to public funds' condition or a prohibition on employment. You will need to send evidence of these restrictions to your local authority.

Student visa

International students with a UK student visa are exempt from paying council tax if they meet the Council Tax definition of a 'student'. This definition requires that you are:

• Enrolled in a full-time course lasting at least one academic year, requiring a minimum of 24 weeks of attendance each year, and involving at least 21 hours of study per week.
• Enrolled and studying at an institution in the UK or another country within the European Union.

If you are a full-time student living with non-students, you are still exempt from paying council tax, but your non-student cohabitants will be expected to pay and will be liable for the full bill. If you live with only one other person who is not a full-time student, they will be eligible for a 25% 'single person's discount'.

If you are a part-time student, you will not be exempt and will be required to pay council tax.

If you are a full-time student and receive a council tax bill, you can apply for an exemption by providing a Council Tax Exemption Certificate to the Council Tax Office.

It is important to note that council tax is set by local authorities, so specific requirements and exemptions may vary depending on your location.

Living with non-students

International students are generally exempt from paying council tax if they live with other full-time students. However, if an international student lives with non-students, the rules regarding council tax exemption vary.

If you are an international student living with non-students, your household will likely receive a council tax bill. The bill will be for the entire dwelling, but you cannot be held jointly liable for the payment. This means that you, as an international student, will not be personally responsible for paying the bill, even if you are a joint tenant with the non-student(s). However, if you are the only person liable or if all the jointly liable people are also students, you may still be required to pay.

It is important to note that if the non-student adults you live with are your spouse, civil partner, or adult dependants, your dwelling may still be exempt from council tax. This exemption applies even if your spouse, civil partner, or dependant is not a British citizen and has been granted immigration permission with specific conditions, such as a 'no recourse to public funds' or a prohibition on employment. This covers most spouses, civil partners, and dependants from non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries or Switzerland who join an international student in the UK.

To confirm your council tax status, you should contact your local council to find out what evidence of student status is required. You can usually print a Council Tax exemption certificate directly from your university's student system or request one from the relevant university department. If you are a postgraduate research student in the examination process, you may need to request a letter from the PGR Administration Office.

Lastly, if you are an international student with dependants who have joined you in the UK on a Tier 4 dependant visa, there are no exemptions when two or more adult non-students live in the property. In this case, you and the other non-students may be jointly liable for the council tax bill.

Student halls of residence

International students in the UK are subject to the same council tax rules as UK students. If you are an international student living in a hall of residence, you are exempt from council tax. Purpose-built halls of residence that are owned by the university or college for occupation by students are exempt from council tax. The university or college must apply for this exemption.

However, it is important to note that student accommodation that is not run by a university or college is not considered halls of residence and is therefore not exempt from council tax. In such cases, students must apply for their own student exemption.

To qualify for a council tax exemption as a full-time student, your course must meet certain requirements. It should last at least one academic year, require a minimum of 24 weeks of attendance each year, and involve at least 21 hours of study per week. Once you are fully enrolled, you must obtain a Council Tax Exemption Certificate and submit it to the Council Tax Office in the borough where you live.

It is worth noting that students living with non-students may still be exempt from council tax, but the non-students in the household will be expected to pay. If you are a full-time student sharing a dwelling with one or more non-students, you can provide your Council Tax Exemption Certificate to ensure you are not liable for the bill.

Frequently asked questions