Ibrahim Gardner
Whether or not a full-time student needs to pay council tax depends on their living situation. If everyone in the household is a full-time student, the property is exempt from council tax. However, if there is at least one non-student in the household, a council tax bill will be generated, and the non-student will be expected to pay. In this case, the full-time student can be exempt from paying any part of the bill by providing a Council Tax Exemption Certificate to the Council Tax Office. If the non-student in the household is a part-time student, they will likely be liable for 75% of the council tax bill. If the non-students are two or more employed people who are not students, they will likely be liable for 100% of the bill unless one or both of them qualify as a disregarded person for council tax discount purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is liable to pay council tax? | People living in privately rented accommodation or those who own their homes are liable to pay council tax. |
| Exemption for full-time students | Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax. However, they must obtain a Council Tax Exemption Certificate and submit it to the Council Tax Office. |
| Exemption criteria | To be exempt, students must be enrolled in a full-time course lasting at least one academic year, requiring a minimum of 24 weeks of attendance and 21 hours of study per week. |
| Discounts | If a full-time student lives with only one other person who is not a full-time student, the student is exempt, but the other person is liable for 75% of the bill. |
| Liabilities | Full-time students may be liable to pay council tax before the start of their course or after completion. If they live with two or more non-students, a full bill is generated, and the non-students are expected to pay. |
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What You'll Learn
Full-time students living with non-students
If you are a full-time student living with non-students, you are generally exempt from paying council tax. However, this depends on whether you can prove your student status and meet the criteria for full-time education.
To be considered a full-time student for council tax purposes, your course must meet specific requirements. It should typically last at least one calendar or academic year, involve a minimum of 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week, and require at least 24 weeks of attendance each year.
If you are a full-time student sharing accommodation with non-students, you will need to provide evidence of your student status to the local Council Tax Office. This can be done by obtaining a Council Tax Exemption Certificate once you are fully enrolled in your course.
In terms of billing, if you live with only one other person who is not a full-time student, you are personally exempt from paying council tax. The other person is liable to pay but will qualify for a 25% 'single person's discount'. If you share with two or more non-students, they will be expected to pay the full council tax bill.
It is important to note that council tax rules can vary depending on your location and specific circumstances. If you are unsure about your liability for council tax, it is recommended to contact your local council or seek advice from student support services.
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Council tax exemption criteria
Full-time students are generally exempt from paying council tax. To be considered a full-time student, one must be taking a course that lasts at least one calendar or academic year and involves at least 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week for at least 24 weeks. If you are a student nurse studying full-time, you are exempt from council tax. Similarly, if you are a full-time student with a partner or dependent who is not a British citizen, you are both exempt from paying council tax. Student halls of residence are also automatically exempt from council tax charges.
If you are a full-time student living with one or more non-students, you will not normally be held liable to pay council tax. In most cases, it will be the non-students who are liable. However, if you are the main tenant or owner of the property, you may still be held liable. If you are living in a property where everyone is a full-time student except for one adult, you can get a 25% discount on your council tax bill.
If you receive a council tax bill but believe you are exempt as a full-time student, you can apply for an exemption. You may need to provide proof that you are a full-time student, such as a certificate from your university or college. It is important to note that if you take time off from your course, you may still be considered a full-time student for council tax purposes, but this may vary depending on the reason for your time off.
In addition to full-time students, there are other individuals who are ''disregarded'' when calculating council tax liability. This includes people who are not considered adults for council tax purposes, such as those under the age of 18. If you live with someone who is disregarded, you may qualify for a discount on your council tax bill.
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Student visa status
In the UK, full-time students are generally exempt from paying council tax. However, this exemption is not automatic and depends on meeting specific criteria. International students with a Student visa (including Tier 4) may not always fulfil the Council Tax definition of a 'student', and their visa status alone might not be sufficient for exemption.
To qualify for exemption as a full-time student, your course must meet certain requirements. The course must last at least one academic year or one calendar year if the educational institution does not follow academic years. It should also require a minimum of 24 weeks of attendance each year and involve at least 21 hours of study per week. Additionally, if you are under 20 years old and studying for a qualification up to or equivalent to A-level, your course should be at least three months long and involve a minimum of 12 hours of daytime study per week.
If you are an international student with a Student visa, it is important to understand that your exemption status depends on meeting the full-time student criteria. Your university or college should provide you with a Council Tax exemption certificate free of charge, confirming your full-time student status. This certificate is typically valid for one year after course completion.
It is worth noting that if you live with non-students, they may be expected to pay the council tax bill. In some cases, they may qualify for a discount, such as a 25% discount if they live with a full-time student. Additionally, if you are renting, it is essential to check the terms of your tenancy agreement, as council tax may be included as part of the rent or you may be required to contribute towards it.
While full-time students are generally exempt, there are certain circumstances where you may need to pay council tax. For example, if you take a break from your studies but remain enrolled with the intention to return, you may still be liable for council tax during that period. Additionally, if you have completed your course and are waiting to start another, you may be required to pay council tax during the gap year.
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Part-time students
If you are a part-time student, you are not exempt from paying council tax. However, you may qualify for a council tax reduction. You can apply for an exemption, and you will need a statement of student status to prove to the council that you are a part-time student.
If you are living with other people, whether they are students or not, will also determine your council tax liability. If you are living with full-time students, you may not need to pay council tax, as households where everyone is a full-time student do not have to pay council tax. However, if you are living with non-students, you will likely be liable for a portion of the council tax bill. For example, if you live with one other non-student, you will likely be liable for 75% of the council tax bill, as they will receive a 25% single-person discount.
If you are living in a house in multiple occupations (HMO), such as a shared house or bedsit, the owner of the property is liable to pay council tax. If you receive a council tax bill that you think you are exempt from, you can apply for an exemption.
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Student halls of residence
Students living in halls of residence are exempt from paying council tax. This is because student halls are considered to be 'occupied only by full-time students', which is one of the criteria for exemption from council tax. If you are a full-time student living in a shared house with other people who are not students, you may still be eligible for a discount, but the council tax bill will be payable.
To be considered a full-time student, your course must meet certain requirements. It must last at least one calendar or academic year, or 24 weeks out of the year, and involve a minimum of 21 hours of study per week. If you are a full-time student, you must obtain a Council Tax Exemption Certificate and submit it to your local council. If you are having difficulty proving your student status, you can request a certificate from your university or college.
If you live in a house in multiple occupations (HMO), the owner of the property is liable to pay council tax. This usually applies if you live with two or more people who are not part of the same family. If you are the only full-time student in an HMO, you will likely be eligible for a discount or complete exemption.
It is important to note that if you are a part-time student, you are not exempt from council tax and are liable to pay it. Additionally, if you have completed your course and are waiting to start another, you may have to pay council tax during that period.
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Frequently asked questions
Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax. However, this only applies if you are attending a full-time course that lasts at least one academic year, requiring at least 24 weeks' attendance and a minimum of 21 hours of study per week.
If you are a full-time student living with non-students, you are still exempt from council tax. However, the non-students in the house will be expected to pay. If you share with a part-time student, they will probably be liable for 75% of the council tax bill.
If you receive a council tax bill, you can apply for an exemption. You will need to provide evidence of your full-time student status to the local Council Tax Office.
If you are a full-time student with a job, you are still considered a student for council tax purposes. Your employment status does not change your ability to be tax-exempt.
