Savanna Hoffman
If you're a mature student, the good news is that if you have full-time student status, you won't have to pay council tax. However, if you live with non-students, you will be expected to contribute to the council tax bill for your household. Full-time students are considered ''disregarded' for council tax purposes, meaning the tax is calculated as if they don't live in the property. This means that any non-students in the household will be liable for the council tax bill, and may qualify for a discount.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is exempt from paying council tax? | Full-time students, those studying a course up to A Levels and are under the age of 20, those under 25 and taking specific types of training, a full-time student's foreign spouse, partner or dependent who is not legally permitted to work in the UK, student nurses, apprentices, mature students with full-time student status |
| Who is liable to pay council tax? | Those who live with non-students, non-students living with full-time students, employed persons living with full-time students, non-British spouses, partners or dependants of students, owners of properties in a house in multiple occupations (HMO) |
| What to do if you receive a council tax bill but are exempt? | Apply for an exemption on the government website |
| What to do if you are unsure about whether you qualify for a discount? | Contact your local council |
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What You'll Learn
Full-time student status
If you are a full-time student, you are likely to be exempt from paying council tax. However, there are certain conditions that must be met to qualify as a full-time student for council tax purposes.
Firstly, your course must last a minimum of one calendar or academic year, spanning at least 24 weeks within the year. Secondly, your course must typically involve a minimum of 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week during term time. It is important to note that the local council may request proof of your full-time student status. You can obtain a certificate from your university or college to verify your student status.
If you are a full-time student and receive a council tax bill, you can apply for an exemption. This situation may arise if your study or tuition does not take place on the university campus or if you are in the thesis-writing stage of your course. In such cases, you can challenge the local council's decision and seek advice from your student union or university's advice centre.
Additionally, if you live with non-students, the council tax bill will be calculated based on the number of eligible adults in the property. As a full-time student, you are 'disregarded' for discount purposes, meaning you are not counted as an eligible adult. For example, if you share a house with an employed person or a part-time student, they will likely be responsible for 75% of the council tax bill.
It is important to note that council tax exemption for full-time students applies regardless of age. So, mature students who meet the criteria for full-time student status will also be exempt from paying council tax.
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Living with non-students
If you are a full-time mature student living with non-students, you will be exempt from paying council tax, but the non-students in your household will be responsible for the bill. The non-students in your household may be able to get a discount or reduction on the council tax bill. For example, if the non-student lives with full-time students, they will probably be liable for 75% of the council tax bill. There is a 25% discount because there is only one eligible adult in the property.
If you are a part-time student, you will usually need to pay council tax. However, you could be eligible for a reduction based on other factors. This includes being the only non-full-time student in the household.
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. If your course lasts less than a year or involves less than 21 hours of study per week, you may have difficulty proving your student status for council tax purposes. In this case, you should get advice from your students' union or university's advice centre.
If you are a full-time student and you receive a council tax bill, you can apply for an exemption. Your council tax exemption covers you while you are on holiday and when you are not studying. If you end up paying council tax when you think you should be exempt, check if you are entitled to a refund.
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Student accommodation
If you are a mature student with full-time student status, you are exempt from paying council tax. However, if you live with non-students, you will be liable to pay council tax for your home.
Full-time students are considered 'disregarded' for council tax purposes, meaning the tax is calculated as if they do not live in the property. This means that any non-students living in the property will be liable for the council tax bill, but may qualify for a discount. For example, if you live with one other non-student, they will be liable for 75% of the council tax bill, receiving a 25% discount as there is only one eligible adult in the property.
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 are moving into student accommodation, you may not need to pay council tax, but you will need to ensure you are eligible for exemption. You can apply for a council tax exemption on the government website, and some councils will provide students with a tax exemption certificate as proof that they do not need to pay.
If you are having difficulty proving your student status, for example, if your study does not take place on campus or you are in the thesis-writing stage of your course, you may be able to challenge the council's decision. You should seek advice from your student union or university advice centre.
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Exemption criteria
If you are a mature student, your age will not be a factor in determining whether or not you are exempt from paying council tax. Instead, your exemption status will depend on whether you are a full-time student or not, and whether you live with other full-time students.
To be classified as a full-time student, your course must last at least a year and require at least 21 hours of study each week. If your course meets these criteria, you will be exempt from paying council tax. If you live in a household with other full-time students, your household will be exempt from paying council tax.
If you are a part-time student, you will usually need to pay council tax. However, you may be eligible for a reduction depending on your circumstances. For example, if you are the only non-full-time student in the household, you may be able to get a discount on your council tax bill.
It is important to note that if you are a full-time student but you live in a house with non-students, you will need to pay council tax. In this case, you may still be able to get a discount on your bill. You can apply for a Council Tax discount through the government website.
If you receive a council tax bill but believe you should be exempt, you can apply for an exemption on the government website. You may also be able to get a certificate from your university or college as proof that you are a full-time student and therefore exempt from paying council tax.
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Discounts
Full-time students living in properties with other occupants who are not full-time students may still qualify for a discount. This applies to home, EU, and international students alike.
Part-time students do not qualify for an exemption from council tax but may be eligible for a council tax reduction. To qualify, they must apply for an exemption and provide a statement of student status to prove their full-time student identity.
If you are a lone parent, part of a student-parent couple, a disabled student, or are receiving Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you may qualify for a council tax reduction.
If only one person in a shared property is liable for council tax, they can get a 25% single-person discount, so only 75% council tax is due for the property.
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Frequently asked questions
Mature students with full-time student status do not have to pay council tax.
If you live with non-students, you will need to pay council tax for your home. However, you may qualify for a discount on your bill.
If you are a part-time student, you will be liable to pay council tax. However, if you live with full-time students, you will likely be responsible for 75% of the council tax bill.
A "disregarded person" is someone who is exempt from paying council tax. Full-time students are classified as "disregarded persons".
You can ask for a certificate from your university or college, which must be provided to you.
