Do students pay council tax?
Full-time students do not pay council tax. A home where everyone is a full-time student is exempt, and a student living with others is not counted. Part-time students are treated differently.
In short
- Full-time students are not counted for council tax.
- A home where everyone is a full-time student is exempt: no council tax at all.
- If you live with non-students, you are not counted, which can bring a discount for them.
- Part-time students are counted in the normal way.
- Send your council a student certificate from your university or college.
Full-time students
Full-time students are disregarded for council tax, meaning they are not counted. What that means for the bill depends on who else lives there.
| Who lives there | Council tax |
|---|---|
| Only full-time students | Exempt: nothing to pay |
| Full-time students and one non-student adult | The non-student gets 25% off |
| Full-time students and two or more non-students | Full bill, paid by the non-students |
Who counts as a full-time student?
Generally, you are a full-time student if your course lasts at least one academic year, and involves at least 24 weeks a year and 21 hours a week of study. Student nurses and some apprentices and youth trainees are also disregarded. School and college pupils under 20 are not counted either.
PhD students usually count as full-time students while they are registered full-time. If you move to a writing-up period, check with your university, as your status may change.
Part-time students
Part-time students are counted in the normal way. If you are a part-time student on a low income, you may be able to get Council Tax Reduction.
Apprentices
Apprentices on low pay, working towards an accredited qualification, are disregarded in England. Ask your council.
Getting a student certificate
Your university or college can give you a council tax exemption certificate, often through its online portal. Send it to your council with your application. Do this each year, and whenever you move.
After your course ends
You stop counting as a student when your course ends. If you stay in the property, you may become liable, so tell the council.
Billed by mistake?
If you have been billed while you were a full-time student:
- Send the council your student certificate for the period
- Ask for the bill to be cancelled or reduced, and backdated
- If you are being chased, ask the council to hold recovery while it checks
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