Savanna Hoffman
Whether or not a university student has to pay council tax depends on their student status. Full-time students are generally exempt from paying council tax, but part-time students and those taking a break between courses may be liable for at least part of the bill. If students live with non-students, they may also be required to pay a portion of the council tax. Students who believe they have been incorrectly billed for council tax can apply for an exemption through the government website or write to their local authority to explain the mistake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full-time students | Exempt from council tax |
| Full-time students living with non-students | Need to pay council tax for the house but can qualify for a discount |
| Full-time students living with 2 or more employed non-students | The non-students are likely to be liable for 100% of the council tax bill |
| Full-time students living in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) | The owner of the property is liable to pay council tax |
| Students who have completed a course and are waiting to start another | May have to pay council tax as they are not within the formal period of either course |
| Students in Northern Ireland | Not exempt from paying domestic rates |
| Students who have received a council tax bill when they are exempt | Need to write to the local authority to explain why the bill is wrong |
| Students who have received a council tax bill and wish to prove their student status | May need to submit evidence of their student status, such as a student certificate |
| Students who wish to challenge a rejection for council tax exemption | Can consult the Money & Housing Advice Team or a local advice agency on case law to support their claim |
| Students who fail to pay council tax | May face serious consequences |
| Students who have completed a course | Liable for council tax from the day after their official course end date |
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What You'll Learn
Full-time students
If you are a full-time student in the UK, you are generally exempt from paying council tax. However, there are certain circumstances in which you may be liable for council tax payments.
Exemptions
Mixed Student and Non-Student Households
If you live with non-students, the rules are a little different. If you share a house with two or more employed people who are not students, they are typically liable for the full council tax bill. However, if you live with other full-time students, your household will qualify for a full council tax exemption.
Breaks Between Courses
If you have completed one course and are waiting to start another, you may be required to pay council tax during this break period. This is because you are not technically enrolled as a student during this time. For example, if you have finished an undergraduate degree and plan to start a postgraduate course the following year, you will likely need to pay council tax for the summer months in between.
Off-Campus Teaching and Accommodation
If your teaching does not take place on campus or you live in off-site accommodation, you may need to provide additional documentation to qualify for a council tax exemption.
Council Tax Bills Received in Error
If you receive a council tax bill but believe you are exempt as a full-time student, you should write to your local authority to explain the error. You may need to provide evidence of your student status, such as a student certificate.
In summary, while full-time students are generally exempt from council tax, there are situations where this exemption may not apply, such as during breaks between courses or when living with non-students. It is important to understand the specific rules and criteria that apply to your circumstances.
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Exemptions and discounts
If you are a full-time student living in the UK, you will not have to pay council tax. If you are living with non-students, you will need to pay some council tax for your home. If you are a full-time student, you might need to take some time off from your course due to illness or family commitments. In this case, you may still be exempt from council tax, but you will need to apply for an exemption.
If you are living with one other employed person or a part-time student, they will be liable for 75% of the council tax bill, and you will qualify for a 25% discount. If you are living with two or more employed people who are not students, they will be liable for 100% of the council tax bill, unless one or both of them qualify as a disregarded person for council tax discount purposes.
If you have finished one course and are waiting to start another, you may have to pay council tax as you won't be classed as a student during this period. However, if you are undertaking a course, you don't need to be physically attending university or college to qualify for an exemption. If you are having difficulty proving your student status, you can challenge the local council's decision and seek advice from your students' union or university's advice centre.
If you are an international student, your spouse, civil partner, or dependant will be disregarded for council tax discount purposes if you are not a British citizen and are not allowed to work or claim benefits.
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Non-student flatmates
If you are a full-time student living in the UK, you are generally exempt from paying council tax. However, if you live with non-students, the rules are different. In this case, you will need to pay some council tax for your home, and your non-student flatmates will be liable for the bill.
The amount of council tax that needs to be paid depends on the number of non-students in the household. If you share a house with two or more employed people who are not students, they will likely be responsible for 100% of the council tax bill. However, if your flatmates qualify as ""disregarded persons", they may be exempt from paying council tax, and you may be able to receive a discount on your bill instead. To qualify as a "disregarded person", an individual must meet certain criteria, such as being a full-time student or a foreign spouse of a full-time student.
It is important to note that the rules regarding council tax can vary depending on your location and specific circumstances. For example, in Scotland, council tax covers water and sewerage, while in Northern Ireland, there is no council tax but households pay domestic rates instead. Additionally, if you are taking a break between courses or studying off-campus, the rules around council tax exemption may be different.
If you receive a council tax bill that you believe you should be exempt from, you can write to your local authority to explain the situation and provide evidence of your student status. You may also need to apply for a council tax exemption certificate, as some councils may require this as proof that you are a full-time student. It is recommended to inform the council of any changes in your circumstances, such as moving into a new property or switching between courses, as soon as possible to avoid any issues with council tax payments.
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Summer breaks
Whether or not you need to pay council tax as a university student depends on several factors, including the type of accommodation you're living in, your course, and your individual circumstances.
During the summer break, university students do not typically have to pay council tax, as they are still considered full-time students. However, this can vary depending on the local council's policies and the specific circumstances of the student. Some councils may argue that if a student is not physically residing at the property during the summer, the exemption does not apply. In such cases, it is important to clarify with the council and challenge any incorrect charges.
If you are enrolled in a multi-year course, such as an undergraduate degree, you are generally exempt from paying council tax during the summer breaks between academic years. This exemption usually applies even if you start working full-time during the summer. However, at the end of your final year, you will become liable for council tax from the day after your university's summer term finishes, typically in early June for undergraduate degrees.
If you are transitioning from an undergraduate to a postgraduate course, you may be required to pay council tax for the summer months between the two programmes. This is because you are not technically enrolled as a student during this period, and your exemption may not apply. Similarly, if you are a postgraduate student taking extra time to complete your thesis over the summer, your exemption may not cover this period.
To ensure your exemption, it is important to inform your local council of any changes in your student status and provide evidence of your full-time student status if requested. You can obtain a "certificate of student status" or a "student certificate" from your university to confirm your enrolment. Additionally, if you are living with non-students, they may be liable for a portion or all of the council tax bill, depending on the number of occupants and their eligibility for discounts.
In summary, while university students are generally exempt from paying council tax during summer breaks, specific circumstances and local council policies can vary. It is always advisable to check with your university and local council to understand your specific situation and ensure you are not charged unnecessarily.
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Proof of student status
As a full-time student, you are not legally liable to pay Council Tax. However, if you live with non-students, they might expect you to contribute to the bill. It is important to discuss this with your flatmates before committing to living together.
If you are a full-time student, your local council will register you as a "disregarded person", and you won't need to pay council tax under any circumstances. If you receive a council tax bill, you can apply for an exemption through the government website. You can also apply for a Council Tax discount through the government website.
If you are taking time off from your course, you should still be regarded as a student for Council Tax purposes if you were previously enrolled as a full-time student. You will remain a student until you complete, withdraw, or are expelled from the course. If you suspend your course but remain registered because you intend to go back, you should still be regarded as a student for Council Tax purposes.
If you are struggling to understand what you need or how it impacts your council tax, contact your university's advice centre or Citizens Advice.
If the local council asks for proof that you are a full-time student, you can ask your university or college for a certificate, which they must provide unless more than a year has passed since your course finished. You can also download a letter from your student record to supply proof that you are a student. This letter is intended to prove your student status and provide an overview of your course information, including your term-time and home addresses. It is your responsibility to keep your address up to date.
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Frequently asked questions
Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax. However, if you live with non-students, you will be liable to pay some council tax for your home.
You can apply for an exemption through the government website. You may need to provide evidence of your student status.
You may still be exempt from council tax or qualify for a discount if you meet other criteria listed by the government.
You will be liable to pay council tax during this time. Once you enrol on a new course, you can submit evidence of your student status and your exemption will be applied again.
