If you’re a postgraduate student about to start your Master’s or PhD, you might wonder how council tax works. Full-time undergraduate students are exempt from paying council tax, but does the same apply to Master’s and PhD students?
This guide covers everything you need to know, including what council tax is, if Master’s students are exempt, if PhD students are exempt, if part-time postgraduate students are exempt, and how to claim an exemption.
Council tax is an annual fee most households must pay their local council. The exact amount depends on the number of people in the household and what council tax band the property is in (this is usually calculated based on the property’s value).
It’s typically paid in monthly instalments, and the money is used to fund important local services, like rubbish collection and street lighting.
Full-time students in the UK are exempt from paying council tax, including Master’s students. If you live with other full-time students, the entire property is exempt from paying council tax, giving you one less household bill to think about!
If you live with housemates or a partner who’s not a student, they’ll still have to pay council tax. However, if only one person in your household is not a full-time student, they’ll be given a 25% ‘single person’ discount. Essentially, all full-time students are invisible when it comes to council tax, so they won’t be counted as living in the property.
Good news – you won’t have to worry about paying council tax while completing your demanding PhD. Just like undergraduate and Master’s students, full-time PhD students are exempt from paying council tax.
We’ve mentioned above that full-time postgraduate students don’t have to worry about paying council tax, but what about part-time ones?
Unfortunately, you’ll need to be classed as a full-time student to be exempt from council tax. Your course must:
This means if you’re studying for your Master’s or PhD part-time, you’ll usually be liable to pay council tax. But if you’re living with full-time students, you’ll be able to get a 25% council tax discount, providing that there are no other part-time or non-students in the household.
Sometimes, part-time students are counted as full-time students for council tax purposes if they study for more than 21 hours a week. However, don’t assume this is the case. Always check with your local authority if you’re unsure your student status qualifies you for an exemption.
If you live in a privately rented student property and study full-time, you’ll likely automatically be exempt from paying council tax. However, you’ll have to apply for an exemption if you receive a council tax bill.
You’ll only be able to claim the exemption from the official start date of your course, and you might need to prove you’re a full-time student. If the council asks for proof, you should be able to get a letter or certificate from your university or PhD supervisor to confirm you’re studying full-time. If you’re during the writing-up stage of your PhD thesis, you won’t need to attend university to qualify as a full-time student.
Even though you won’t have to worry about paying council tax as a full-time postgraduate student, managing the rest of your household bills can still be a lot of hassle. From setting up utility accounts to getting all your housemates to pay on time, living in a shared house isn’t always easy. This is where we come in…
Split The Bills is a bill-splitting service trusted by thousands of students nationwide. Our team will handle everything on your behalf – we’ll set up utility accounts, call suppliers, and manage your direct debits. All you have to do is pay your portion of the household bills each month, giving you more time to focus on perfecting your dissertation or thesis. There’s no need to worry if your housemates pay late, as you’re only responsible for your own monthly payment!
You can even create a personalised package based on what your house needs. You can include energy, broadband, water and even a TV licence if you plan on watching live TV.
If you want to simplify your shared household bills, learn more about how Split The Bills works or get a price today!
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