Savanna Hoffman
Whether or not you need to pay council tax as a student depends on your student status and living situation. Full-time students living in the UK are usually exempt from paying council tax, but part-time students and those living with non-students may be required to pay at least a portion of the tax bill. Students who are not exempt from council tax may be eligible for a discount. To avoid being incorrectly billed, students should provide their local council with proof of their full-time student status.
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What You'll Learn
Full-time students are exempt from council tax
In the UK, full-time students are usually exempt from paying council tax. However, this exemption only applies if all occupants of a dwelling are full-time students. If there is at least one non-student occupant, the household will receive a council tax bill, but the full-time student(s) will be disregarded when counting the number of eligible adults, and so the household may still qualify for a discount.
The definition of a full-time student may vary depending on the college or other bodies. Generally, you are considered a student from the day you begin your course until the official course end date, which is listed on your student record and appears as your "expected end date" on university documentation and your student ID card. If you take time off from your course, you may still be eligible for an exemption, but the council is not obligated to extend it.
If you are a full-time student and receive a council tax bill, you can apply for an exemption. To do so, you will need to provide a copy of your student certificate issued by your college or university. If you are taking time off from your course, you may also need to include the date when you stopped being a student. If you are granted a discount or exemption, it will be automatically applied to your council tax bill for the next year, and any deductions will be detailed on your bill.
It is important to note that if you are a full-time student and you own or rent a dwelling, you may be liable for council tax if a non-student also lives there, unless they are a joint owner or tenant. Additionally, if you are taking a gap year between academic programmes, your exemption will not be extended during this time, and you will need to pay the council tax bill for that period.
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Exemptions don't apply during breaks between courses
Generally, full-time students are exempt from paying council tax. To qualify as a full-time student, your course must meet specific criteria. For example, it must last at least one calendar or academic year, requiring at least 24 weeks of study per year, and involve a minimum of 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience each week during term time. Distance learning courses are typically considered part-time, and students may find it challenging to prove their full-time status if their study or tuition does not occur on a university campus.
However, this exemption does not extend to breaks between courses. If you complete a foundation programme, first degree, or masters and plan to start a new course in the next academic year, you will be liable for council tax during the gap. This is because, during this time, you are not considered a student, and your exemption does not continue. Your council tax liability begins from the day after your official course end date, which is listed on your student record and appears as your "expected end date" on university documentation and your student ID card.
If you are taking a break from your studies but remain enrolled with the intention to return, you should still be regarded as a full-time student for council tax purposes. Your student status for council tax purposes is defined as "from the day you begin the course until the day you complete it, abandon it, or are no longer permitted by the educational institution to undertake it." Therefore, as long as you have not completed, withdrawn, or been expelled from your course, you should retain your student status during a temporary interruption of your studies.
It is important to note that council tax exemption rules can vary, and you should refer to the specific regulations in your local area. Additionally, if you believe you have been incorrectly billed for council tax during a break between courses, you can challenge this decision by consulting with a relevant advisory team or local agency to understand your rights and options.
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Non-students in shared houses must pay council tax
Students are exempt from paying council tax. However, non-students in shared houses must pay council tax. If you are a non-student sharing a house with other non-students, you are likely to be liable for 100% of the council tax bill, unless you qualify for a council tax discount. If you are a non-student sharing a house with students, you are still liable to pay the council tax, but you may be eligible for a discount. This is known as a 'student disregard' discount and is usually 25%.
To qualify for a council tax discount as a non-student, there are specific criteria you must meet. Firstly, you need to be the only non-student in the household, as having two or more non-students in a house with students would make the non-students liable for the full council tax bill. Secondly, you need to be living with full-time students. The local council may ask for proof of full-time student status from your housemates, which can be provided in the form of a certificate from their university or college.
It is important to note that the criteria for council tax discounts can vary depending on your local council, so it is always best to check with them directly. You can contact your local council to inquire about any applicable discounts and to understand who is responsible for paying the council tax in your specific situation.
In some cases, the owner of the property may be liable for paying council tax if the house is classified as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). An HMO is typically defined as a shared house, bedsit, or hostel where two or more people who are not part of the same family reside. If you are unsure if your property qualifies as an HMO, you can check with your local council for clarification.
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Students may need to prove their student status
Students are exempt from paying council tax, but only if they are full-time students. Part-time students are not exempt and will have to pay council tax. If you are a full-time student, you might need to prove your student status to your accommodation provider and the local authority/council.
To prove your student status, you can ask for a certificate from your university or college, which they must provide unless more than a year has passed since your course finished. This is known as a Confirmation of Study letter. If you are a former student, you will not have access to Student Records to download this letter, so you will need to request it.
If you are a distance learning student, any letter issued needs to be clear about the mode of study. If you are an exchange student studying full-time but attending for less than an academic year, you might still qualify for exemption if your home educational establishment is in a Member State of the European Union.
If you are taking time out from your course, for example, due to illness or family commitments, you may need to challenge a rejection for Council Tax exemption. You can do this by consulting an advisor or your local advice agency on case law to support your case.
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Council tax is charged per household
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 you are taking a break from your course, you may need to pay council tax on your accommodation before your rent contract ends. Additionally, if you are a full-time student living with non-students, you will need to pay council tax for the house, but you can apply for a discount.
If you receive a council tax bill and believe you should be exempt, you can apply for an exemption through the government website. You may be asked to provide proof of your student status, such as a certificate from your university or college. It is important to note that councils are not obligated to extend your exemption, and you may need to pay council tax during gaps between courses or after your official course end date.
If you live in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), the rules may differ. In an HMO, the owner of the property is typically liable for council tax. However, if you are the owner and also a full-time student, you may still be responsible for paying council tax. It is recommended to check with your local council to understand your specific situation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, full-time students are exempt from paying council tax. However, if you live with non-students, you will need to pay some council tax for your home.
Part-time students will usually need to pay council tax. However, you could be eligible for a reduction based on other factors.
If you receive a council tax bill when you are a full-time student, you can apply for an exemption through the government website. You may need to provide evidence of your student status.
If you are in between courses, your exemption from council tax as a student will not continue during this gap and you will need to pay the bill. Once you have enrolled on the new course, you can submit evidence of your student status and your exemption will be applied again.
If you are a full-time student living with non-students, you will need to pay council tax for the house. However, you can qualify for a discount on your bill.
