Savanna Hoffman
Whether or not a college student has to pay council tax depends on their student status. Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax, and student halls of residence are automatically exempt. However, if a student lives with non-students, they may be required to pay council tax for the household. In this case, they may qualify for a discount on their bill. If a student is taking time off from their course, they may also be required to pay council tax. Council tax is a local tax on residential properties, and the rules vary depending on the local council.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who has to pay council tax | Those aged 18 or over |
| Council tax bill | Based on at least two adults living in a home |
| Full-time student exemption | Yes, if the student can provide proof |
| Student status | Full-time student if the course lasts at least one calendar or academic year, at least 24 weeks out of the year, and involves at least 21 hours of study, tuition or work experience per week during term time |
| Student accommodation exemption | Yes, if eligible for exemption |
| Non-student housemate | The student is disregarded, and the non-student housemate is liable for 75% of the council tax bill |
| Two non-student housemates | The two non-student housemates are liable for 100% of the council tax bill |
| Non-British spouse/partner/dependent | Special rules apply |
| House in multiple occupations (HMO) | The owner of the property is liable to pay council tax |
| Exemption application | Can be applied for through the government website |
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What You'll Learn
Full-time students are exempt from council tax
Students often have to grapple with the complexities of council tax, especially when sharing accommodation with non-students. However, the good news is that full-time students are exempt from paying council tax.
If you are a full-time student, you are classified as a "disregarded person" and do not need to pay council tax under any circumstances. This means that when calculating the number of adults in a property for council tax purposes, you are not counted. Council tax bills are typically based on at least two adults living in a home. Therefore, if everyone in the household is a full-time student, the property is exempt from council tax. Student halls of residence are automatically exempt from council tax for this reason.
To qualify as a full-time student, your course must meet certain criteria. Firstly, it should last at least one calendar or academic year. Secondly, it should involve at least 24 weeks of study per year, with a minimum of 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week during term time. If you are taking time off from your course, you may still be considered a full-time student, but this could impact your council tax exemption.
If you receive a council tax bill but believe you should be exempt as a full-time student, you can apply for an exemption through the government website. You may need to provide proof of your student status, such as a certificate from your university or college. If you are living with non-students, the situation becomes more complex, and you may need to pay a portion of the council tax bill, depending on the circumstances.
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Non-students in shared houses may be liable for 100% of the bill
If you are a full-time student, you will not be required to pay council tax. However, this exemption does not extend to those living with non-students. In such cases, the non-student household members will be responsible for paying the council tax bill.
The liability for council tax payment falls on those who are considered 'adults' for council tax purposes. Full-time students are not counted as adults and are disregarded when calculating the number of adults in a property. This means that if you live with a full-time student, you may be eligible for a discount on your council tax bill.
However, if you share a house with two or more employed individuals who are not students, they will likely be liable for 100% of the council tax bill. This is because a full council tax bill is typically based on at least two adults living in a property. In this scenario, the non-students would be responsible for the entire council tax payment.
It is important to note that special rules apply if you live with a non-British spouse, partner, or dependent. In such cases, it is recommended to speak to an advisor to understand your specific circumstances. Additionally, if you live in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), the owner of the property is typically responsible for paying the council tax.
To summarise, while full-time students are exempt from paying council tax, non-students in shared houses may be liable for 100% of the bill if they meet the criteria for being considered adults and there are at least two of them in the household.
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Student status must be proven for council tax exemption
Students who are full-time are disregarded when it comes to council tax. This means that if everyone in a household is a full-time student, the property is exempt from council tax. However, if there is at least one non-student adult in the household, the property will be subject to council tax. In this case, the student(s) can apply for a council tax exemption and discount.
To count as a full-time student, a course must last at least one calendar or academic year, involve at least 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week during term time, and the student must be "undertaking" the course for the necessary period of time.
Students can request a certificate from their university or college to prove their student status, which must be provided unless more than a year has passed since their course finished. Students may also need to provide evidence of their full-time student status to their accommodation provider. This can be done by sending a copy of their Confirmation of Study letter to the local council.
Some students may have difficulty proving their student status if their study, tuition, or work does not take place on campus or they are in the thesis "writing up" stage of their course. In these cases, students can challenge the local council's decision and seek advice from their students' union or university's advice centre.
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Students may need to pay council tax during breaks between courses
Generally, households where everyone is a full-time student do not have to pay council tax. Full-time students are disregarded when calculating the number of adults in a property for council tax purposes. However, if there is even one non-student adult in the household, the household will receive a council tax bill. In this case, only the non-student tenants will have to pay the tax, and they may be eligible for a discount.
To be classified as a full-time student, your course must last at least one calendar or academic year and require at least 21 hours of study each week. If you are a part-time student, you will likely have to pay council tax. However, you may be eligible for a reduction based on other factors, such as being the only non-full-time student in the household.
Now, if you've finished one course and are waiting to start another, you may be liable to pay council tax during this break period. This is because you are not within the formal period of either course, and you may have difficulty proving your student status, especially if your study or tuition does not take place on campus or you are in the thesis-writing stage of your course. In such cases, you should consult your students' union or university's advice centre for guidance on challenging the local council's decision.
It is important to note that council tax exemption for students begins on the day their tenancy agreement starts, regardless of whether they are physically living in the property. If a council disputes this and sends a bill, students should contact the council to appeal the decision.
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Student halls of residence are automatically exempt from council tax
Students in the UK are usually exempt from paying council tax. Council tax is a local tax on residential properties, and full-time students are not counted as adults for council tax purposes. If you are a full-time student, your household is exempt from council tax as long as everyone living in the property is also a full-time student.
However, if you live with someone who is not a full-time student, your household will not be exempt, and a council tax bill will be issued. In this case, you may still be able to get a discount on your council tax bill. If you are a full-time student, you are ''disregarded' when counting the number of eligible adults in the property, and whoever is liable to pay the council tax may qualify for a discount. For example, if you share with an employed person or a part-time student, they will probably be liable for 75% of the council tax bill.
To qualify as a full-time student, your course must last at least one calendar or academic year, for at least 24 weeks of the year, and involve at least 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week during term time. If you meet these criteria, you can apply for a council tax exemption through the government website.
It is important to note that if you take a break from your studies or finish one course and are waiting to start another, you may be liable to pay council tax during that time. This is because you are not within the formal period of either course, and you may have difficulty proving your student status for council tax purposes.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are a full-time student, you will not have to pay council tax. Households where everyone is a full-time student are exempt from council tax.
If you are a part-time student or taking time off from your course, you may be liable to pay council tax. If you are living with non-students, you will need to pay council tax for your home.
If you receive a council tax bill as a full-time student, you can apply for an exemption through the government website.
Special rules apply if you live with a non-British spouse, partner, or dependent. In this case, speak to an adviser to understand your specific circumstances.
