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Good news: generally, full-time students do not have to pay council tax. But before you go ahead and sign for your next student house, there are a few sneaky details you need to know so you don’t get hit with an unexpected bill.
We’ll be covering what a council tax bill is, who has to pay it, and where students stand when it comes to paying it or not!
What is council tax?
Think of council tax as a subscription fee for your local area. It’s paid to keep the wheels turning on the boring but essential stuff your council provides – think bin collections, keeping parks looking decent, and maintaining local libraries.
Essentially, it’s a tax on the place you live, and it’s usually priced based on how much the property is worth.
Do you have to pay council tax as a student?
Whether you’ll need to pay council tax as a student will depend on whether you’re a full-time or part-time student.
Do full-time students pay council tax?
When in student accommodation where everyone is a full-time uni student, you’ll be exempt from paying council tax.
If your local council or landlord starts chasing you for it, don’t panic. Your uni’s student support team can help you sort the paperwork. If the council asks for proof, you can just grab a certificate of enrolment from your student portal or uni desk and send it over to get them off your back.
To be exempt from paying council tax (and be classed as a full-time student), you just need to:
- Be studying a university or college course lasting at least one academic year
- Be on a course that involves at least 21 hours of study per week
If you’re studying for a qualification up to A level and you’re under 20, your course just needs to:
- lasts at least three months
- involves at least 12 hours of study per week
Just keep in mind that the second you graduate or stop meeting those rules, the council will classify you as a working professional. That means the free ride is over, and you’ll have to start paying up.
If you aren’t studying full-time and are scratching your head about where you stand, don’t stress – we’ve got you covered below.
Do you pay council tax as a part-time student?
Not all students are full-time, and that can be for a range of reasons. Here’s the catch, though: when it comes to council tax, part-time students don’t qualify for a student exemption from council tax like full-time students.
But if you don’t meet the full-time criteria, don’t worry! You aren’t completely out of luck – you can usually still score a decent discount on the bill to keep costs down.
Do you have to pay council tax in student accommodation?
If you live in halls of residence, you can completely forget about council tax. You’re automatically exempt, and the university handles all the boring admin in the background, so you don’t have to lift a finger.
Do you qualify for an exemption if you live with a non-student?
If you live with people who aren’t students or who study part-time, your house won’t be eligible for a council tax exemption. However, if everyone is a full-time student except for one person, you don’t have to pay the full amount – you should be able to get a solid 25% discount off the total bill.
Do you have to pay council tax if you live at home with parents?
If you choose to live at home rather than moving away for uni, your household may still qualify for a discount on council tax!
The best way to check if your household qualifies would be to check out the GOV.UK’s page on who has to pay.
How do I apply for a council tax exemption or reduction?
Applying for your council tax exemption is pretty straightforward, thankfully! The government now provides a digital service where you can apply online easily.
You’ll need to start by visiting the “Apply for a Council Tax discount” page on the GOV.UK site. From there, it’ll prompt you to enter the postcode of your student accommodation (or whichever property it is you’re applying for an exemption on).
It should then direct you to your local authorities’ website, where you’ll be asked to fill in more details and complete an application. Be prepared to have documents and information on hand, such as your National Insurance number and other forms of identity verification.
Should you have any trouble with the above, you can contact your local council via this same website or read more on council tax.
If you’re all sorted with your council tax and want to figure out your utility bills, Split The Bills can help. Our team takes care of setting up the bills and dividing the costs equally between housemates, so you never have to worry about one person taking all the responsibility. Take a look at how we work or grab a quick quote today.
Split The Bills is not a financial advisor. This should not be considered as professional financial advice. Do your own research & consult a professional financial advisor before making any financial decisions!