Ibrahim Gardner
Council tax is a tax on households by local authorities in Britain based on the estimated value of a property and the number of people living in it. The tax helps fund local services, including education, fire, and police services. Generally, people living in privately rented accommodation are liable to pay council tax. However, full-time students living in student accommodation are exempt from paying council tax. If a full-time student lives with one or more people who are not full-time students, the non-students will be expected to pay the council tax bill, with a possible discount.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full-time students | Exempt from council tax |
| Part-time students | Liable to pay council tax |
| Full-time students living with non-students | Exempt from council tax, but non-students will be expected to pay |
| Full-time student sharing with one non-full-time student | Exempt from council tax, but the non-student will receive a 25% discount |
| Full-time student sharing with two or more non-students | Exempt from council tax, but non-students will pay full CT |
| Student cluster flats or HMOs | Landlords are responsible for council tax |
| Student accommodation during summer months | Liable to pay council tax |
| Student accommodation with included council tax | Students may be liable to contribute |
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What You'll Learn
Full-time students are exempt from council tax
If you are a full-time student, you are exempt from paying council tax. However, this exemption applies only if you are enrolled in a course that lasts at least one academic year, requires a minimum of 21 hours of study per week, and involves at least 24 weeks of attendance each year. The exemption is valid from the course start date until the course end date or the date you withdraw from the course.
If you are living in privately rented accommodation, you are normally liable to pay council tax. However, if you are a full-time student sharing a house with other full-time students, you are exempt from paying council tax. In this case, you must provide evidence of your full-time student status to the local Council Tax Office. On the other hand, if you are a full-time student living with non-students, you are still personally exempt from paying council tax, but your non-student housemates will be expected to pay and may qualify for a discount.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely need to pay council tax, but you may be eligible for a discount. Additionally, if you are taking a break from your studies but remain registered as a full-time student, you should still be regarded as a student for council tax purposes. If you have completed your course and are waiting to start another, you may be required to pay council tax during that period.
It is important to note that council tax exemption for full-time students does not apply if you are the owner or tenant of a dwelling and a non-student, who is not a joint owner or tenant, also lives there. In this case, the non-student would be liable for the council tax.
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Part-time students must pay council tax
In the UK, full-time students are usually exempt from paying council tax. However, part-time students are generally not exempt and are required to pay council tax on their accommodation. This includes students on part-time courses who are still studying for more than 20 hours a week.
To qualify as a full-time student for council tax purposes, a student's course must last at least one calendar or academic year, require at least 21 hours of study per week, and involve at least 24 weeks of attendance per year. If a student meets these criteria, they are '"disregarded" for council tax purposes, meaning the tax is calculated as if they do not live in the property. This can result in a discount for whoever is liable for the bill.
Part-time students living in shared houses with full-time students will not be required to pay council tax themselves, but their non-student housemates will be expected to pay. In this scenario, the non-student housemates may qualify for a 25% single-person discount.
It is important to note that council tax rules can vary depending on the location and specific circumstances of the accommodation. For example, if a part-time student lives in a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), the landlord may be responsible for paying the council tax. Students are advised to check the terms of their tenancy agreements and consult official government sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding council tax liabilities.
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Students in HMOs may be eligible for council tax discounts or exemptions
Students living in HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupancy) may be eligible for council tax exemptions or discounts. The rules regarding council tax for students vary depending on factors such as the type of accommodation, the student's course, and the number of non-students living in the property.
Full-time students living in HMOs may be exempt from paying council tax. To qualify as a full-time student, one must be enrolled in a course that lasts at least a year, requires at least 21 hours of study each week, and involves at least 24 weeks of attendance per year. If all occupants of an HMO are full-time students, the household is typically exempt from council tax. However, each student may need to provide evidence of their full-time student status to the local council tax office.
In cases where there are both students and non-students living in an HMO, the situation becomes more complex. If there is only one non-student occupant, they may be eligible for a 25% single person's discount on the council tax bill. The students in this scenario would still be exempt from paying council tax. However, if there are multiple non-student occupants, a full council tax bill may be generated. While the students remain exempt, the non-students will be expected to pay the full amount.
It is important to note that part-time students do not qualify for council tax exemption. They are generally liable to pay council tax, even if they live in an HMO with other part-time or full-time students. Additionally, students living in private rented accommodation may be responsible for paying council tax during periods when they are not actively enrolled in a course, such as before the start of their course or between completing one course and starting another.
In certain circumstances, the landlord of an HMO may be responsible for paying council tax, especially during periods when the property is unoccupied. It is recommended that landlords and property managers understand the status of their buildings and tenants to determine who is liable for council tax payments.
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Non-students living with students are liable for council tax
In the UK, full-time students living in privately rented accommodation are exempt from paying council tax. To qualify as a full-time student, one must be enrolled in a course lasting at least a year, requiring a minimum of 21 hours of study each week. This exemption applies from the course start date until the course end date or withdrawal.
However, non-students living with students are liable for council tax. If there are multiple non-students in the household, they will be responsible for paying the full council tax bill. In the case of a single non-student living with students, they will be expected to pay the bill but will qualify for a 25% 'single person's discount'.
Students living with non-students should provide their Council Tax Exemption Certificate to the Council Tax Office to ensure they are excluded from the bill. It is important to note that students on part-time courses are not exempt and are liable to pay council tax.
Additionally, students in specific types of residences, such as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) or student cluster flats, may have more complex council tax considerations. In these cases, it is advisable to review the accommodation's status and understand the relevant conditions and exemptions.
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Council tax exemption applies from course start date until course end date
Council tax exemption applies from the official course start date until the official course end date. This means that if you move into your student accommodation before the course begins, you may be liable to pay council tax for that period. Similarly, council tax may be charged if you continue to live in the same accommodation after your course ends.
To be classified as a full-time student and thus qualify for council tax exemption, you must be enrolled on a course that lasts at least one academic year and requires a minimum of 21 hours of study each week. Some sources state that the course must also involve at least 24 weeks of attendance each year. If you are a part-time student, you will likely be liable to pay council tax, although you may be eligible for a discount.
If you live in privately rented accommodation with other full-time students, you will not be liable to pay council tax. However, you must all provide evidence of your full-time student status to the local council tax office, as this exemption does not happen automatically. If you live with non-students, a council tax bill will be generated, but as a full-time student, you are not liable to pay any of it. You should provide your council tax exemption certificate to ensure you are excluded from the bill.
If your course end date has been officially extended, you may need to provide an updated confirmation of study letter to the council to prove that your enrolment has not yet ended. In some cases, such as when you have been granted more time to complete assessments or defer exams, the council may not extend your exemption, as a student is defined as "a student from the day you begin the course until the day you complete it, abandon it or are no longer permitted".
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Frequently asked questions
Full-time students living in student halls of residence are exempt from paying council tax. However, if you are a part-time student, you may be liable to pay council tax, although you may be eligible for a discount.
Households where everyone is a full-time student do not have to pay council tax. If you receive a bill, you can apply for an exemption.
If you are a full-time student sharing with two or more people who are not 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 expected to pay. If there is only one non-student in the house, they will be liable to pay but will qualify for a 25% discount.
Students registered on part-time courses are not exempt and are liable to pay council tax. If there are non-students in the house, they will also be expected to pay council tax.
