Douglas Olsen
Council tax is payable by all households in the UK, and the amount is based on the value of the dwelling. However, full-time students are often 'disregarded' for council tax purposes, meaning the tax is calculated as if they don't live in the property. If a household is entirely comprised of full-time students, it is exempt from paying council tax. If a household has both full-time students and non-students, the non-students are liable to pay the bill. In this case, the household may still qualify for a discount, as the full-time students are not counted as adults for council tax purposes. International students with Tier 4 visas are not entitled to receive public funds, including council tax reductions, and are therefore not eligible for council tax discounts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tier 4 students with a visa | Not entitled to receive public funds |
| Tier 4 students with a visa and a property that is 'exempt' from Council Tax | Not deemed to be receiving public funds |
| Tier 4 students with a visa and a property that is 'disregarded' for Council Tax purposes | Not deemed to be receiving public funds |
| Tier 4 students with a visa who suspend their studies for a long period | Need to leave the UK |
| Tier 4 students without a visa who suspend their studies for a long period | May still be regarded as a student for Council Tax purposes |
| Full-time student households | Exempt from Council Tax |
| Households with non-students | Liable to pay the bill |
| Households with a mix of students and non-students | May be eligible for a discount |
| Households with only one adult | May be eligible for a 25% discount |
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What You'll Learn
Tier 4 students with non-student housemates
If you are a Tier 4 student with non-student housemates, you may still be exempt from paying council tax. Full-time students are usually 'disregarded' for council tax purposes, meaning the tax is calculated as if they don't live in the property. In this case, non-student housemates may be eligible for a 25% discount on the bill. However, they would still be liable for the remaining 75%.
To qualify as a full-time student, your course must last at least one calendar or academic year and involve at least 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week during term time. If your course meets these requirements, you can request a certificate from your university or college to prove your full-time student status.
It is important to note that if you have a Tier 4 visa, you are not entitled to receive public funds, including council tax reduction. Therefore, even if your household is exempt from council tax due to your full-time student status, you may still need to inform your local authority that you are a Tier 4 visa holder to ensure you are not breaching any visa conditions.
Additionally, if you live in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), the rules may differ. An HMO is typically a shared house, bedsit, or hostel where two or more people who are not from the same family live together. In these cases, the owner of the property may be liable for council tax.
To summarise, as a Tier 4 student with non-student housemates, you may be exempt from council tax, but your non-student housemates will be liable for the bill. However, they may be eligible for a discount. Ensure that you provide the necessary documentation to prove your full-time student status and check with your local council for specific rules and requirements.
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Tier 4 students with student housemates
If you are a Tier 4 student with a Student visa, you are not entitled to receive public funds, and you are not deemed to be receiving public funds if your dwelling is 'exempt' from Council Tax. If your household includes non-students, they are liable to pay the Council Tax bill. However, if everyone in your household is a full-time student, the household is generally exempt from paying Council Tax.
In the case of Tier 4 students living with student housemates, it is important to determine whether all housemates qualify as full-time students. To be considered a full-time student, a course must typically last at least one calendar or academic year and involve a minimum of 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week during term time. If all housemates meet these criteria, the household is likely to be exempt from Council Tax.
However, it is worth noting that the definition of a full-time student may vary, and some councils may have different interpretations. Additionally, if any of your housemates are international students with Tier 4 visas, their immigration status may impact their classification for Council Tax purposes. It is recommended to seek advice from your institution's advice service or Students' Union to clarify their status.
If any of your housemates do not qualify as full-time students, the household may still be eligible for a discount on the Council Tax bill. The liable person or persons are responsible for informing the local authority about the mix of students and non-students in the household. Depending on the specific circumstances, the non-student housemates may be liable for a portion or the entirety of the Council Tax bill.
It is always a good idea to check with your university's advice and counselling service to see if they offer any guidance or support in dealing with Council Tax. They can provide you with information on the specific rules and regulations that apply to your situation.
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Tier 4 students with non-British partners
If you are a Tier 4 student with a non-British partner, you may still be exempt from paying council tax. Council tax is generally payable by all households, but full-time students are often 'disregarded' when calculating the number of members of a household. This means that the council tax is calculated as if you don't live there, and the other members of the household may be eligible for a discount.
To be considered a full-time student for council tax purposes, your course must last at least one calendar or academic year and involve at least 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week during term time. If you are a Tier 4 student, you may need to check with your institution's advice service to confirm your status in relation to council tax. Additionally, if your partner has immigration permission and their visa includes the condition of 'no recourse to public funds', they are not entitled to receive public funds, including council tax reduction.
If your household is not exempt from council tax, your non-student partner may be liable for the bill. However, they may qualify for a discount, especially if they are the only eligible adult in the property. It is important to note that the liable person(s) is responsible for informing the local authority of any changes in residence that may affect liability or the amount of the bill.
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Tier 4 students with illness or absence
If you are a Tier 4 student, you may be exempt from paying Council Tax. However, having a Tier 4 visa does not necessarily mean you meet the definition of a 'student' for Council Tax purposes. To be considered a 'student' for Council Tax exemption, you must meet certain criteria, such as being under 20 years old and studying for a qualification equivalent to A-level or Higher Scottish Certificate of Education. It is recommended that Tier 4 students seek advice from their institution's advice service or Students' Union to determine their status in relation to Council Tax.
Now, if you are a Tier 4 student with illness or absence, here are some important points to consider:
- Missing a few classes due to illness will not affect your Council Tax exemption or discount.
- If you need to suspend your studies for an extended period due to a long-term illness, your college or university may refer to this as a deferral or interruption. In most cases with a Tier 4 visa, you would need to leave the UK during this period as your student sponsorship and visa may be cancelled.
- If you do not have a Tier 4 visa and can remain in the UK during your absence, you may still be regarded as a student for Council Tax purposes if you continue to be enrolled in a course that meets the full-time study definition.
- If you suspend your course but remain registered with the intention to return, you should still be considered a student for Council Tax purposes.
- If you take time off from your course due to illness, you may need to provide proof that you are still a full-time student to maintain your Council Tax exemption or discount. You can request a certificate from your university or college.
- If you live with non-students, such as a spouse, partner, or dependants, special rules may apply regarding Council Tax liability and any discounts or exemptions.
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Tier 4 students in HMOs
Tier 4 students on a Student visa are not entitled to receive public funds, including council tax reduction. However, full-time students are often 'disregarded' for council tax purposes, meaning the tax is calculated as if they don't live in the property. In such cases, the non-students residing in the property are liable to pay the council tax bill.
Tier 4 students living in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) may be exempt from council tax, depending on the specific circumstances. An HMO is typically defined as a house or flat shared by three or more people from at least two households, who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Student HMOs are specifically designed to cater to the needs of students, offering features such as robust internet connectivity and flexible lease terms, in addition to being strategically located near universities and colleges.
If you are a Tier 4 student living in an HMO, it is important to understand the local regulations and licensing requirements. Some councils have introduced an Article 4 direction, which requires landlords to seek planning permission when converting property use to an HMO. Additionally, smaller HMOs shared by less than five students may require licensing, depending on their location.
To confirm whether your HMO is exempt from council tax, you should contact your local council. They can provide guidance on the specific rules and regulations that apply to your situation. It is important to note that the liable person(s) is responsible for informing the local authority of any changes in residence that may impact council tax liability.
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Frequently asked questions
Tier 4 students are generally exempt from paying council tax, but this depends on their household composition and type of dwelling. If all housemates are full-time students, the household is usually exempt. However, if there are non-students in the household, they may be liable for the council tax bill.
A full-time student typically undertakes a course that lasts at least one calendar or academic year, spanning at least 24 weeks. Their weekly study load should involve a minimum of 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience during term time.
If you're a Tier 4 student sharing a dwelling with non-students, they will likely be responsible for the council tax bill. The council tax is calculated as if you, as a full-time student, do not live there, resulting in a potential discount for the non-students.
