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Council tax

Student council tax exemption: who qualifies and how to claim

Short answer

If everyone living in your home is a full-time student, the home is exempt and nobody pays council tax. If one adult is not a full-time student, that person pays with 25% off, because students are not counted. To claim, ask your university or college for a council tax exemption certificate and send it to your council.

Updated

  • £0

    Council tax when everyone in the home is a full-time student

  • 25%

    Off the bill for the one adult who is not a student

  • 21 hrs

    Of study a week, on a course of at least a year, to count as full-time

Which council tax discounts apply to your home?

Answer up to seven questions about the home and who lives there. No account needed, and each result links to the official route for your nation.

Where is the property?

Council Tax rules differ by nation. Choose the property's nation, not your previous address.

Your result

Answer the questions and the discounts, exemptions and next steps that are likely to apply will appear here.

This checker is guidance only, not a legal decision. Your council makes the final decision and may ask for evidence. The rules it applies are sourced in the sections below.

See the band and charge for an address

Pick the address to see its council, its council tax band and the council's charge for that band this year. If you already live there, you can apply a discount to see what you would pay.

Are you moving in, or already living there?

You pick your exact address on the next screen. Nothing is priced before that.

England, Scotland and Wales. In Scotland it shows the council. The charge is the council's figure for the band; parish charges can make a bill slightly different.

The core rule is the same in England, Wales and Scotland, and the differences are set out below. Not a student household? The checker also covers the single person discount, disability reductions, help on a low income, and second and empty homes.

Does the HMO owner pay council tax?

Check liability before splitting a council-tax bill among housemates.

  • In Wales, HMO rules from 3 June 2026 generally make the owner liable for a single dwelling, including licensed and unlicensed HMOs. This change is not retrospective.
  • Ask the council to confirm liability and the Valuation Office about banding. Student exemptions and mixed-household discounts are separate decisions.
  • England and Scotland have their own rules; Northern Ireland uses domestic rates. The checker’s student result does not decide HMO owner liability.
Sources (1)
Check council-tax setup and liability

Do students pay council tax?

Not when everyone who lives in the home is a full-time student. The exemption belongs to the home, so it holds only while every resident qualifies.

  • GOV.UK says households where everyone is a full-time student do not have to pay council tax. Citizens Advice puts it from the other side: the property is exempt if only full-time students live there.
  • Halls of residence are automatically exempt, according to Citizens Advice, and mygov.scot says students living in halls in Scotland do not pay either.
  • A private student flat or studio follows the same rule as a shared house. It is exempt when everyone living in it is a full-time student, including a student living on their own.
  • The exemption is not automatic. GOV.UK says you need to apply for a discount or exemption even if you are not counted, and that if you do get a bill, you can apply for an exemption.
  • If even one adult in the home is not a full-time student, the home gets a bill. What that adult pays is set out below.
Sources (5)

Who counts as a full-time student for council tax?

It depends on how long your course runs and how many hours of study it takes each week.

  • In England, GOV.UK says your course must last at least a year and involve at least 21 hours of study a week.
  • Citizens Advice adds the detail: the course runs for at least 24 weeks of the year, and the 21 hours can be study, tuition or work experience, counted in term time.
  • Under 20 and studying for a qualification up to A level? GOV.UK says the course must last at least 3 months and involve at least 12 hours of study a week.
  • Part-time students are counted like any other adult. Citizens Advice gives the example of a full-time student sharing with a part-time student, where the part-time student will probably pay 75% of the bill.
  • Some other residents are not counted either. GOV.UK lists student nurses, foreign language assistants registered with the British Council, and 18 and 19 year olds in full-time education, among others.
  • Postgraduates writing up away from campus can find this harder to prove. Citizens Advice says you only need to be undertaking the course for the required time, not physically attending the university or college.
Sources (3)

What happens if one housemate is not a student?

The home loses the exemption and gets a bill. The students in it are still not counted, and that decides both the discount and who has to pay.

  • One adult who is not a full-time student: GOV.UK gives 25% off when everyone else in the home is not counted, and Citizens Advice says that adult will probably be liable for the remaining 75%.
  • Two or more adults who are not full-time students: Citizens Advice says they are likely to be liable for the full bill, unless one of them is also not counted, and that the council can only pursue the non-students for payment.
  • Everyone not counted, but not everyone a full-time student, for example a student living with an apprentice on a qualifying scheme: GOV.UK gives 50% off.
  • In a house in multiple occupation, Citizens Advice says the owner is liable for council tax rather than the tenants. It can be hard to tell whether a house counts as one, so ask your council if you are not sure.
  • Tell the council when the house changes, for example when someone finishes their course or a non-student moves in. GOV.UK says that if you get a discount by mistake you must contact the council, or you could be fined.
Sources (2)

How do I claim the student council tax exemption?

Four steps. Start when you move in, even if no bill has arrived yet.

  1. 1

    Get a council tax exemption certificate

    Ask your university or college for one. Each student in the house asks for their own, showing their course dates.

  2. 2

    Find your council

    Look up the council for your new address by postcode on GOV.UK.

  3. 3

    Apply for the exemption

    Use the council's discount or exemption form, list everyone who lives there and attach the certificates. Do it when you move in, not when the first bill arrives.

  4. 4

    Keep the council up to date

    If a bill arrives before the exemption is in place, apply rather than ignore it. Tell the council when someone finishes their course or a non-student moves in.

More detail
  • Citizens Advice says your university or college must give you a certificate when you ask, unless more than a year has passed since your course finished.
  • Councils run their own forms. BCP Council, as one example, says you need a council tax exemption certificate from your university or college that shows the dates of your course.
  • The GOV.UK discount service covers England and Wales only. In Scotland, mygov.scot says to tell the council about your studies when you register for council tax.
  • Do not ignore a bill that arrives first. GOV.UK says the council can take action to reclaim any debts you owe if you get behind with your payments.
Sources (5)

Do students pay council tax over the summer or between courses?

The summer between the years of one course is covered. The gap between two different courses may not be.

  • Summer between the years of your course: you are still a full-time student. Sheffield City Council, as one example, says you are classed as a full-time student on your summer holidays between the years of your course.
  • In Wales, the Welsh Government says your term-time address is treated as your main home for the whole course, so you do not pay council tax during holidays or other non-term periods.
  • Between two courses: you might have to pay. Citizens Advice gives the example of finishing an undergraduate degree and starting a postgraduate course the next academic year, because you are not within the formal period of either course.
  • After your course ends: the exemption ends with it. BCP Council, as another example, says any student exemption ends when the course ends, so tell the council if your tenancy runs on past your course end date.
  • Taking time out: if you suspend your course but stay registered because you intend to go back, Citizens Advice says you should still be regarded as a student.
Sources (4)

Is the student exemption different in Scotland and Wales?

The core rule is the same: a home where everyone is a full-time student does not pay. These are the details that change.

  • Scotland: mygov.scot says that at 20 or over you count as a full-time student in higher education, or on a course of at least 24 weeks a year with at least 21 hours of study a week. Under 20, further education counts too, as does at least 12 hours a week on a course of at least 3 months.
  • Scotland: tell the council about your studies when you register for council tax, so it can check your entitlement. Care leavers under 26 are not counted as adults either (mygov.scot).
  • Scotland: most council tax bills carry Scottish Water's water and sewerage charges too. Citizens Advice Scotland says a home exempt from council tax will usually be exempt from those charges as well, but only if everyone living there is exempt.
  • Wales: the Welsh Government's test is at least 21 hours of study a week in term time, on a course lasting at least 24 weeks of the academic year, and holidays are covered for the whole course.
  • Wales: care leavers aged 18 to 24 may not have to pay council tax in certain situations, and school or college leavers under 20 who left after 30 April are not counted until 1 November that year (GOV.WALES).
  • Northern Ireland has a different system. Homes there get a rates bill instead, which nidirect explains.
Sources (6)

What other council tax discounts can a new mover get?

Not a student household? These are the main reductions on GOV.UK, and the checker above works through each of them.

  • Single person discount: GOV.UK gives 25% off when you live on your own, or when everyone else in your home is not counted.
  • Everyone not counted: GOV.UK gives 50% off when everyone living in the home is disregarded.
  • Disabled Band Reduction Scheme: if the home has an extra bathroom, kitchen or other room, or extra space for a wheelchair, that a disabled resident needs, you pay the rate for the band below. A home already in band A gets 17% off instead (GOV.UK).
  • Severe mental impairment: someone who qualifies is not counted, and GOV.UK describes discounts of 25%, 50% or 100% depending on who else lives there.
  • Council Tax Reduction: on a low income or benefits, GOV.UK says your bill could be reduced by up to 100%. Each council runs its own scheme, so what you get depends on where you live.
  • Second and empty homes cost more, not less. GOV.UK says a second home can be charged up to 2 times the normal bill, and a home empty for at least 10 years up to 4 times. Welsh councils can add a premium of up to 300%, and Scottish premiums have not been capped at double since 1 April 2026.
Sources (6)

Which carers, apprentices and care leavers are not counted for council tax?

Adults who are disregarded do not count towards the bill, which is how a home gets 25% or 50% off. The government reviewed these groups in April 2026.

  • Apprentices: in England you are not counted if your employer declares you will not be paid more than £195 a week and that the training leads to an accredited qualification (GOV.UK). The government said in April 2026 that this threshold 'has not kept pace with wider changes in the labour market'.
  • Care workers: one of the two carers' disregards covers people who work at least 24 hours a week and are paid no more than £44 a week for it (government response, paragraph 33).
  • Live-in carers: the other covers someone who cares for at least 35 hours a week, on average, for a person they live with who gets a qualifying benefit. It does not apply to a spouse or partner, or to a parent caring for their child under 18 (paragraph 34).
  • Care leavers in England: there is no national disregard, but councils can give their own discounts. The Department for Education's guidance says each council's local offer for care leavers should cover council tax support and exemptions.
  • Severe mental impairment: the government will rename this disregard and update its definition 'when Parliamentary time allows', and does not intend to reassess anyone who qualifies now. Its proposed name is significant cognitive impairment, which Wales already uses (GOV.WALES).
  • The government says it will explore updating the care worker and apprentice disregards, and new forms of support, ahead of the next Spending Review.
Sources (4)
Single person discount rules and review letters

What your household pays for council tax

Who lives in the homeWhat you pay
Everyone is a full-time studentNothing. The home is exempt, but you still apply to the council with your exemption certificates.
Students in halls of residenceNothing. Halls are automatically exempt.
Students and one adult who is not a full-time studentThe bill, with 25% off because only one adult is counted. The adult who is not a student will probably be liable for it.
Students and two or more adults who are not full-time studentsThe full bill, unless one of the non-students is also not counted. The council can only pursue the non-students for it.
Everyone is disregarded, but not all are full-time students50% off, for example a full-time student living with an apprentice on a qualifying scheme.
One adult living alone who is not a student25% off with the single person discount.

Student council tax questions

Do full-time students pay council tax?

Not if everyone in the home is a full-time student. GOV.UK says households where everyone is a full-time student do not have to pay, and Citizens Advice says halls of residence are automatically exempt. If even one adult is not a full-time student, the home gets a bill, but that adult may get 25% off because students are not counted.

Is the student council tax exemption automatic?

No. GOV.UK says you need to apply for a council tax discount or exemption even if you are not counted. Ask your university or college for a council tax exemption certificate, then apply through the council for your address. If a bill arrives before the exemption is in place, apply for it rather than ignoring the bill.

Where do I get a council tax exemption certificate?

From your university or college. Citizens Advice says it must provide one when you ask, unless more than a year has passed since your course finished. Each student in the house asks for their own and sends it to the council with the exemption application. BCP Council, for example, asks for a certificate that shows the dates of your course.

What happens if one of my housemates is not a student?

The home is no longer exempt, so it gets a bill. Full-time students are not counted, so if one adult is not a student, GOV.UK gives that adult 25% off. With two or more non-students the full bill is likely, unless one of them is also not counted, and Citizens Advice says the council can only pursue the non-students for payment.

Do students pay council tax in the summer?

Not in the summer between the years of the same course. Sheffield City Council, for example, says you are still classed as a full-time student then, and the Welsh Government says holidays are covered in Wales. A gap between two different courses is different: Citizens Advice says you might have to pay for it.

Do part-time students pay council tax?

Usually, yes. GOV.UK only disregards students who are full-time, so a part-time student counts as an adult. Citizens Advice gives the example of a full-time student sharing with a part-time student: the part-time student will probably pay 75% of the bill, because only one adult is counted and the 25% discount applies.

Do students in Scotland pay council tax?

Not if everyone in the home is a full-time student or you live in halls of residence, according to mygov.scot. Tell the council about your studies when you register. Most Scottish bills carry water and sewerage charges too, and Citizens Advice Scotland says an exempt home will usually be exempt from those as well.

Why does the checker ask how many adults are counted?

Because discounts depend on who is counted, not on how many people live in the home. GOV.UK lists people who are not counted, including full-time students, student nurses, some apprentices and live-in carers. If only one adult is counted the bill has 25% off. If nobody is counted it has 50% off, unless everyone is a full-time student and the home is exempt.

What if I have already paid council tax I did not owe?

Contact your council. GOV.UK says to contact your local council if you have paid too much council tax and have not had an automatic refund. For a student household, apply for the exemption with your certificates first, then ask the council to check the dates it applies from.

Council tax and the rest of your move

Official routes for claiming, and the guides for the bills that come with council tax.

Start here

How to set up council tax when you move home

Recommended

Registering with the council, checking your band and reading the first bill.

Official references

Sort council tax with the rest of your move

Pick an address above to see its council, its band and this year's charge. If you already live there, you can apply the discount you qualify for. You apply to the council yourself. Taupia is free, and nothing changes without your approval.

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Taupia. "Student council tax exemption: who qualifies and how to claim". Last updated 15 October 2026. https://taupia.com/move-home/council-tax-checker