Ibrahim Gardner
Students are often exempt from paying council tax, but the rules vary depending on the student's living situation, course type, and duration. Full-time students living in shared houses or private accommodation may be exempt from council tax, but they must provide proof of their student status to the local council. Students in university-owned halls of residence are typically automatically exempt. However, during summer breaks, the rules can be less clear, and students may need to determine their eligibility based on the length of their course and whether they are still registered as a student.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full-time students | Exempt from council tax |
| Full-time students sharing a house with non-students | Exempt from council tax, but non-students will be expected to pay |
| Student halls of residence | Exempt from council tax |
| Part-time students | Not exempt from council tax |
| Students in the UK on a student visa | Not exempt from council tax |
| Students on a pre-sessional course or a full-time course lasting less than one academic year | Liable to pay council tax |
| Students who have completed a course and are waiting to start another | May have to pay council tax during this gap period |
| Students who have started a course but are deferring to take a gap year | Likely to still be regarded as a student and exempt from council tax |
| Students who suspend their course but remain registered | Should still be regarded as a student for council tax purposes |
| Students who move back home for the summer | May not receive a bill if they can prove they're moving away after the summer |
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What You'll Learn
Full-time students are exempt from council tax
Students who are registered as full-time are exempt from paying council tax. This exemption applies to those whose courses last at least one calendar or academic year, requiring a minimum of 24 weeks of attendance and 21 hours of study per week. Full-time student status also applies to those who suspend their courses but remain registered with the intent to return.
If you are a full-time student living in a shared house with other full-time students, your household is exempt from council tax. However, if you live with non-students, a council tax bill will be generated, and they will be expected to pay. In this case, you will need to provide proof of your student status to the local council to ensure you are not included in the bill.
Obtaining a Council Tax Exemption Certificate is essential for full-time students to confirm their exemption status. This certificate can be obtained from your university and submitted to the Council Tax Office in the borough where you reside. It's important to note that the exemption applies from the course start date until the course end date or withdrawal.
While full-time students are generally exempt, there are some nuances. For instance, if you move into a property before the start of your course, you may be liable for council tax during that period. Additionally, if you are in the thesis-writing stage of your course, proving your student status for council tax purposes may be more challenging.
In conclusion, while full-time students are generally exempt from council tax, it is important to understand the specific criteria and provide the necessary documentation to the local council to ensure your exemption status.
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Non-students in shared accommodation are liable to pay
If you are a non-student sharing a house with full-time students, you will be expected to pay council tax. Student halls of residence are automatically exempt from council tax, but if you are sharing a privately rented house with full-time students, a full council tax bill will be generated. As a full-time student, you are not liable to pay any of this bill, but the non-students in the house will be.
If you are a non-student sharing a house with only one other person who is a full-time student, you will probably be liable for 75% of the council tax bill. If you are a non-student sharing a house with two or more full-time students, you will likely be liable for 100% of the council tax bill.
If you are a non-student sharing a house with one or more part-time students, you will be liable to pay council tax. Part-time students are not exempt and are required to pay council tax.
If you are a non-student sharing a house with a mix of full-time students and part-time students, you will also be liable to pay council tax. However, you may qualify for a discount. The council tax is calculated as if the full-time students do not live there, so whoever is liable to pay the council tax may get a discount.
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Students must prove their status to the council
Students who are living in properties where everyone is a full-time student are exempt from paying council tax. However, they must provide evidence of their student status to the local council. This is because the council might ask for proof that the individual is a full-time student.
To prove your student status, you can obtain a 'certificate of student status' or a 'student certificate' from your university. This can usually be obtained from the admissions office, but you should check your university's website for the correct department. Once you have your student certificate, send it to your local council. Alternatively, some universities have online systems that you can log into yourself to prove your student status.
If you are a distance learning student, you may still be eligible for a council tax exemption, but you must prove your student status. Similarly, if you are a full-time student sharing a house with two or more people who are not full-time students, you must provide evidence of your full-time student status to the local council tax office to ensure that you are not included in the bill.
If you are a full-time student, you are not liable to pay council tax during the summer breaks between academic years. However, if you have finished your undergraduate degree and are planning to start a postgraduate course in the next academic year, you will be liable to pay council tax during this time as you are not technically a student and are no longer exempt.
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Students may have to pay between courses
Students are generally exempt from paying council tax. However, this exemption does not extend to the period between completing one course and starting another. This is because, during this time, you are not technically a student and are no longer exempt.
If you have finished a foundation programme, first degree, or master's and plan to start a new course in the next academic year, you will need to pay council tax during the gap. Councils usually issue a bill for the full tax year, and you will be liable to pay from the day after your previous course ended until you can submit evidence of your student status for the new course. Once you have enrolled, your exemption will be applied again, and your bill for the year will be recalculated.
The same applies if you are moving from an undergraduate degree to a postgraduate course. You will be liable to pay council tax from the day after your university's summer term finishes, usually in early June, until you can submit proof of your student status for your new course.
If you are a full-time student sharing accommodation with only one other person who is not a full-time student, you are personally exempt from paying council tax. However, your non-student housemate will be expected to pay. If there are two or more non-students in the household, they will be liable to pay the full council tax bill.
To be considered a full-time student, your course must last at least one calendar or academic year and involve at least 24 weeks of study, with a minimum of 21 hours of study per week. If you are studying a full-time course that lasts less than one academic year, you will be liable to pay council tax.
If you are a student and receive a council tax bill, you can apply for an exemption. You will need to obtain a Council Tax Exemption Certificate from your university and submit this to your local council.
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Students in private accommodation may have to pay before/after a course
Students in private accommodation may have to pay council tax before and after their course. This is because the council tax exemption only applies from the course start date until the course end date. If you move into private accommodation before the start of your course, you may be liable to pay council tax during this period. Similarly, if you complete your course and are no longer a student, you may be liable to pay council tax even if you are still living in the same private accommodation.
To be exempt from paying council tax, you must be enrolled in a full-time course that lasts at least one academic year, requires at least 24 weeks of attendance each year, and involves a minimum of 21 hours of study per week. If you are a full-time student living in private accommodation, you should obtain a Council Tax Exemption Certificate and submit it to your local council. This will exclude you from the council tax bill, and you cannot be pursued for any unpaid amounts.
However, if you share your private accommodation with non-students, the situation may be different. If you live with one other person who is not a full-time student, you are still personally exempt from paying council tax. However, if you live with two or more non-students, a full council tax bill will be generated, and the non-students in the house will be expected to pay. In this case, it is important to check the terms of your tenancy agreement, as sometimes council tax is included as part of the rent.
It is worth noting that if you suspend your course but remain registered with the intention to return, you should still be regarded as a student for council tax purposes. Additionally, if you are studying an undergraduate degree for multiple years, you won't have to pay council tax during the summer breaks between academic years. However, if you finish your undergraduate degree and plan to start a postgraduate course in the following year, you may be liable to pay council tax during this gap period.
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Frequently asked questions
Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax during the summer breaks between academic years. However, if you've finished an undergraduate degree and are planning to start a postgraduate course in the next academic year, you might have to pay council tax during that summer.
If you live in a privately rented house where not everyone is a full-time student, you will receive a council tax bill. However, as a full-time student, you are exempt from paying any of this bill, but the non-students in the house will be expected to pay.
If you receive a council tax bill but don't think you should have, you can apply for an exemption. You may need to provide a 'certificate of student status' or 'council tax exemption certificate' to prove that you're a full-time student.
Students registered on part-time courses are not exempt and are liable to pay council tax.
If you're studying an undergraduate degree, you won't have to pay council tax during the summer months, even if you start working full-time.
