You may be exempt from paying Council tax if you are a full time student.
On this page
- How it works
- Eligibility
- Apply
- Help applying
- Change of circumstances
How it works
If you are a student and meet the eligibility criteria detailed below, you will be exempt from paying Council Tax.
Who is it for (eligibility)
You are eligible for an exemption if you are:
- a full time student -
- living in a flat, an apartment, house, or bedsit on your own
- living in a flat, an apartment, house, or bedsit occupied only by other full time students
- living in student halls of residence
- who owns a property left empty
Your term time address is treated as your main residence for the entire duration of your course. You do not have to pay Council Tax even during holidays or non term periods.
- the husband, wife, civil partner or dependant of a full-time international student
- who is not a British citizen
- who is restricted by immigration rules from taking paid employment or claiming benefits while living in the UK
You are considered a full time student if you are:
- a higher eduction student -
- a full time student enrolled on a course of education
- on a course that lasts at least 24 weeks per academic year
- undertaking at least 21 hours of study per week during term time
- a younger student (under 20) in further eduction
- under 20 years old and
- studying for a qualification up to A level or equivalent
- on a course lasting at least 3 months
- on a course involving 12 hours or more study per week
- a student nurse
- undertaking a course at a college of nursing and midwifery or college of health
If you are unsure if you are eligible, submit an application and we will discuss what options are available to you.
Apply
Before your start
You will need one of the following documents saved in image or pdf format to upload to your application:
- Proof of study
- enrolment card
or
- student certificate
You must continue to pay your current Council Tax bill while the outcome of your application is decided.
Apply for student exemption
Help applying
If you need help applying and would benefit from face to face support, you can Book a One4all appointment. You can meet with a member of the team at a RCT library who will support you in completing and submitting the application.
Book an appointment
Change of circumstances
You must inform us immediately if your circumstances change as it could effect your entitlement to a discount.
Cancel your Council Tax Exemption
Contact us