- Halls of residence are automatically exempt from council tax.
- Properties, other than halls, are exempt if everyone is a student. But you need to apply for the exemption
- Properties where one or more household members (over 18) are not students, cannot be exempt. The non-students are responsible for the bill. The non-students may be able to get another type of reduction. For example, a single parent with a child over 18 who is a student may be entitled to a single person discount.
- If the student is the sole owner or tenant, they remain liable for the bill but may be able to get another type of reduction if someone who isn't a student is living with them.
You are classed as a full-time student for council tax if:
- you are 18 or over and at college, university or similar;
- your course lasts at least 24 weeks in the year; and
- it involves at least 21 hours of study a week; and
- the college or university considers your course to be full-time.
In addition:
- you are also classed as a full-time student if you are 18 or 19 and on a non-advanced course like A-levels that lasts at least three months and involves at least 12 hours of study a week.
- your college or university must be in the UK or the European Union, you don't have to attend; you can be engaged in distance learning as long as you meet the other student criteria
- you must live in the UK.