If you're a full-time student, you normally won't be counted when working out Council Tax. Whether there's anything to pay for your home depends on who you live with and their circumstances. ‍You may need to let your local council know you're a student and provide evidence, so don't ignore a Council Tax bill if one arrives.

‍

What is Council Tax?

Council Tax is paid to your local council and helps fund local services.

‍

How much a household is charged depends on things including the property and the people living there. Some people aren't counted when the council works out the bill. This is sometimes called being 'disregarded' for Council Tax.

‍

Full-time university students are usually in this group.

‍

‍

‍

Do full-time students have to pay Council Tax?

If everyone in your household is a qualifying full-time student, the property will normally be exempt from Council Tax. If you're living in University halls, you shouldn't normally need to arrange this yourself.

‍

If you're renting privately, check whether your Council Tax exemption has already been arranged. If not, you may need to apply to your local council and provide evidence of your student status. Don't assume that being a student means you can ignore a bill. If you receive one and think you shouldn't have to pay, contact the council and get it sorted.

‍

Citizen’s Advice provides a helpful information guide.

‍

‍

How do I prove I'm a student?

You can generate a Council Tax student status letter through the Student Record System (SRS).

‍

Go to Generate self-service letters and choose the relevant Council Tax letter. If there's a problem with the information on your letter or you're unable to generate one, contact the Student Information Desk (SID).

‍

You'll then need to follow the process set by the council where you live. If you're living in Exeter, check Exeter City Council's current student Council Tax information.

‍

‍

What happens if I live with someone who isn't a full-time student?

This is where Council Tax can get a little more complicated. Full-time students are usually disregarded when the council works out how many adults count towards the bill.

‍

If you're a full-time student and live with one adult who is counted for Council Tax, the household will normally be eligible for a 25% discount. If two or more adults are counted, the household will normally receive a full Council Tax bill.

‍

There can be other exemptions and discounts depending on someone's circumstances, so it's worth checking with the council rather than assuming what your household will need to pay.

‍

‍

What if one of my housemates stops being a student?

Your Council Tax situation can change if someone's student status changes.

‍

For example, if everyone in a house was previously a full-time student and one person stops being a student, the property may no longer be fully exempt. If this happens, contact the council and let your housemates know so everyone understands what's changed.

‍

It's important to check who is legally responsible for the bill rather than automatically splitting it between everyone in the house. Your council can confirm liability based on your household and tenancy arrangements.

‍

‍

What happens if I withdraw from university?

If you withdraw from your course, you will normally stop being treated as a full-time student for Council Tax purposes. That could mean your household becomes liable for Council Tax, or that an existing bill changes.

‍

The financial impact will depend on who else lives in the property and whether they're also disregarded or eligible for another exemption or discount. If you're thinking about withdrawing, Council Tax is one of several financial things worth checking before making your decision.

‍

Read our advice about withdrawing from your studies for more information about the wider financial implications.

‍

‍

Do I have to pay Council Tax if I interrupt my studies?

Not necessarily. If you interrupt a full-time course, you may still be treated as a student for Council Tax purposes while you're interrupted. The University can provide a Council Tax exemption letter confirming your study status, which your local council may ask to see.

‍

Because your circumstances and study status matter, check with SID and your local council rather than assuming that interrupting automatically means you'll have to start paying Council Tax. If you're considering an interruption, read our interruption advice to understand the wider impact on your finances, funding and accommodation too.

‍

‍

‍

What if I've finished my course?

Your student Council Tax status doesn't necessarily continue until graduation. What matters is the official period during which you're considered a full-time student. Once your course has officially ended, you may become countable for Council Tax even if you're still living in the same student accommodation.

‍

If you're unsure when your student status ends, check your student status information or speak to SID.

‍

‍

What if I receive a Council Tax bill I wasn't expecting?

Don't ignore it. Check that:

‍

• the council knows you're a full-time student

• your name and address are correct

• you've provided any student evidence they've requested

• everyone living at the property has been correctly recorded

• any exemption or discount you're entitled to has been applied.

‍

If something looks wrong, contact the council that issued the bill and ask them to check your account. Keep copies of any documents you send and a record of your communication with them.

‍

‍

What if I'm struggling to pay Council Tax?

If you're responsible for Council Tax and you're struggling to pay it, contact the council as soon as possible.

‍

Don't leave bills or reminders unopened. There may be support available depending on your circumstances, and dealing with the issue early gives you more opportunity to understand your options. You can also speak to our Advice Team if Council Tax is part of a wider financial difficulty.

‍

‍

How can the Guild help me?

Council Tax can get confusing when your circumstances change, particularly if you're interrupting, withdrawing or living in a household where not everyone is a full-time student.

‍

Our Advice Team can help you understand how a change to your studies could affect your finances and point you towards the right place for specialist Council Tax information. For questions about your Council Tax account, bill, exemption or discount, you'll normally need to speak directly to the council that issued it.

‍

‍

Complete our enquiry form or email advice@exeterguild.com if you'd like advice about how a change to your studies could affect your finances.

‍