Council Tax

What is Council Tax?

If you are living in private rented accommodation you must be aware of your rights in relation to Council Tax.  Council Tax is a property tax. There is one bill for each property regardless of whether it is owned or rented, the type of property it is or the number of people living in it.

Certain properties will be exempt from Council Tax and these include

Will I pay Council Tax?

If you are studying on a full time course of one year or more, you should be defined as a full-time student in relation to Council Tax exemption. This means you should not have to pay the Tax. If you are studying on a full-time course of less than one year you will not automatically be considered a full-time student in relation to Council Tax exemption.  If you are asked to pay Council Tax, please see one of the Student Advisers for help in arguing your case.

Will my Spouse and dependants have to pay Council Tax?

Spouses and dependants will be exempt from Council Tax if

Most students studying a degree course who are living in a house or flat with other full-time degree students will be exempt from Council Tax.

Council Tax Exemption Certificates

In order to prove that you are exempt from Council Tax, you will need to collect a Council Tax Exemption Certificate from the college office. The certificates are usually printed in large batches at the beginning of the academic year. You will need to give your Council Tax Exemption Certificate to your Local Authority’s Council Tax Department. If your spouse is with you, you will also have to send in a photocopy of the stamp/visa in his/her passport.

ACCA