Open University Students And Council Tax: Who Pays?

Whether or not open university students pay council tax depends on their living arrangements and student status. Full-time students are eligible for council tax exemption or discount, but the amount they pay will depend on their living situation. For example, if a property is occupied only by full-time students, it is usually exempt from council tax. However, if there are non-students living in the property, they will be liable to pay. In some cases, the student may still be personally exempt from paying, but this is not always the case. It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for a council tax discount or exemption vary depending on the local council and the specific circumstances of the student and their household.

Full-time students in university accommodation

If you are a full-time student in university accommodation, you do not have to pay council tax. This exemption is automatic.

To be considered a full-time student, your course must meet certain criteria. It must last at least one calendar or academic year, requiring a minimum of 21 hours of study per week. If you are studying for a qualification up to A-level and are under 20 years old, your course must last at least three months and involve at least 12 hours of study per week.

If you are a full-time student sharing a house with non-students, you are still exempt from paying council tax. However, the non-students in the house will be expected to pay the bill. In this case, you will need to provide a Council Tax Exemption Certificate to the Council Tax Office to ensure you are excluded from the bill.

If you are a full-time student living with only one other person who is not a full-time student, you are still personally exempt from paying council tax. The other person is liable to pay but will qualify for a 25% discount, known as a 'single person's discount'. Again, you will need to submit your Council Tax Exemption Certificate for the discount to be applied.

It is important to note that if you move into a property before the start of your course, you may be liable to pay council tax for that period. Additionally, if you are taking a break from your course, you might have to pay council tax during that time, especially if you are between courses.

If you receive a council tax bill and believe you should be exempt, you can apply for an exemption.

Full-time students in private accommodation

If you are a full-time student living in private accommodation, you may not have to pay council tax. However, this is dependent on your living arrangements and whether you live with other full-time students or non-students.

If you are the only person living in the property and you are a full-time student, your property is 'exempt' from council tax. This means you do not have to pay it. To qualify as a full-time student, your course must last at least one calendar or academic year, and you must undertake the course for at least 24 weeks out of the year, with a minimum of 21 hours of study per week.

If you live with other full-time students, your property may still be exempt, but you must all register as exempt and apply for a student exemption. If you live in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), it is your landlord's responsibility to deal with any discount or exemption application.

If you live with non-students, you will usually still be personally exempt from paying council tax, but the non-students will be liable to pay. However, if you live with a partner, adult children, or lodgers, and you are the homeowner or only named tenant, you will not qualify for exemption and must pay council tax.

It is important to note that you must inform your local council that you are studying full-time. Failure to do so may result in a court summons and having to pay court costs.

Full-time students living with non-students

If you are a full-time student living with non-students, you will usually still be personally exempt from paying council tax. However, this depends on your living arrangements and whether you are the homeowner, the only named tenant, or living in a shared house.

If you live with non-students, they will typically be liable to pay the council tax bill. However, there are some exceptions. If you live with a partner, adult children, or lodgers, and you are the homeowner or only named tenant, you will not qualify for exemption and must pay council tax.

If you are a full-time student living in a shared house with non-students, you will likely still be exempt from council tax. In this case, the non-students in the household will be liable to pay the council tax bill. This is because you are ''disregarded'' for council tax purposes, meaning the tax is calculated as if you don't live there. As a result, the other residents may qualify for a discount on their bill. For example, if you live with an employed person or a part-time student, they will probably be liable for 75% of the council tax bill, as there is only one eligible adult in the property.

It is important to note that your eligibility for a council tax exemption or discount depends on your student status, course duration, and the number of study hours per week. To qualify as a full-time student in England, your course must last at least one calendar or academic year and involve at least 21 hours of study per week.

Part-time students living with full-time students

If you are a part-time student living with full-time students, you will be liable to pay council tax. However, as a part-time student, you could be eligible for a reduction. If you are the only non-full-time student in the household, you will be eligible for a 25% single-person discount. This discount should be automatically applied to your council tax bill, but if it isn't, you will need to contact your local council.

If you are a full-time student, you are exempt from paying council tax. A full-time student is defined as someone who is undertaking a course that lasts at least a year and requires at least 21 hours of study each week. If your household only contains full-time students, it will be exempt from council tax.

If you are a part-time student living with non-students, you will be liable to pay council tax. However, if you are a full-time student living with non-students, you will usually still be personally exempt from paying council tax, and the non-students in the household will be liable to pay.

If you are a part-time student living with a mix of full-time students and non-students, you will still be liable to pay council tax, but the non-students in the household will also be liable. In this case, the non-students will receive a single-person discount of 25% as the full-time students are still exempt.

Postgraduate students

Full-time postgraduate students are generally exempt from paying council tax, provided their course meets the standard criteria for full-time study. This typically means that the course must last at least one calendar or academic year and involve a minimum of 21 hours of study per week.

However, there are some important nuances to consider for postgraduate students. Firstly, if you are in the thesis-writing stage of your course, you may have difficulty proving your full-time student status, especially if your study does not take place on campus. In this case, you may need to challenge the local council's decision and seek advice from your student union or university advice centre.

Another consideration is the period between completing an undergraduate degree and starting a postgraduate course. During this time, you may be liable to pay council tax since you are not technically within the formal period of either course and are not considered a full-time student.

Additionally, if you are a part-time postgraduate student, you will likely need to pay council tax. However, if you are the only non-full-time student in a household of full-time students, you may still be eligible for a 25% single-person discount.

It is important to note that council tax exemptions for students are based on the specific circumstances of the individual and their household. Therefore, postgraduate students should consult their local council and student support services to understand their specific situation regarding council tax liability.

Frequently asked questions