Council Tax for Students — Do You Have to Pay?

Full-time students are exempt from council tax — but the rules are more nuanced than most people realise. Mixed households where some residents are students and others are not, postgraduate students, part-time students, and students who own their own property all face different rules. This guide explains exactly who is exempt, what happens in shared households, and what to do if you've been incorrectly charged. For a broader overview of all exemptions, see our complete list of council tax exemptions.

The Basic Rule — Full-Time Students Are Exempt

Full-time students are disregarded for council tax purposes. This means they are not counted when determining how many adults live in a property. If all residents of a property are full-time students, the property is fully exempt — no council tax is due at all.

To qualify, you must be enrolled on a full-time course at a recognised university, college, or other educational institution. The course must last at least one academic year and involve at least 21 hours of study per week. Your institution will provide a student exemption certificate to prove your status.

How to Get the Exemption

You or your landlord must apply to the local council. Most councils have an online form. You will need to provide a student exemption certificate from your university or college — this is usually obtained from the student services or registry office and confirms your full-time status and course dates.

The exemption runs from the start of your course to the end of the academic year or the date you leave. If you return for the next year, you need to reapply or renew your certificate.

Mixed Households — Students and Non-Students

This is where things get complicated. If a property is shared between full-time students and non-students, the exemption does not apply. The non-student residents are liable for council tax.

However, the students are still disregarded — meaning they are not counted when calculating the number of adults. This can result in a single person discount if only one non-student remains after students are disregarded.

Example: Four people share a house — three full-time students and one employed person. The three students are disregarded. The employed person is treated as if they are the only adult in the property, which means they qualify for a 25% single person discount.

Example: Two people share a flat — one full-time student and one employed person. The student is disregarded. The employed person qualifies for a 25% single person discount.

In both cases, the non-student must apply to the council and provide the student's exemption certificate to evidence the discount. If you live in an HMO with a mix of students and non-students, the liability rules depend on the tenancy structure.

Part-Time Students

Part-time students are not disregarded for council tax. If you are studying part-time — even at a university — you are treated as a non-student for council tax purposes and are liable to pay. The only exception is if you are enrolled on a qualifying full-time course and also working part-time alongside it. In that case, your full-time student status still applies.

Postgraduate Students

Postgraduate students — including those doing Masters degrees and PhDs — qualify for the student exemption if their course is full-time. The same rules apply: the course must last at least one academic year and involve at least 21 hours per week. Many postgraduate students incorrectly assume they don't qualify — they do, as long as the course meets the criteria.

Student Halls of Residence

Purpose-built student halls of residence are fully exempt from council tax as a category — the exemption applies to the building itself, not the individual students. You do not need to apply for an exemption if you live in halls. If you are charged council tax while living in halls, contact your university accommodation office — this would be an error.

What Happens Over the Summer?

The student exemption typically runs year-round if you are enrolled on a course that spans the full academic year and you intend to return. If you graduate and leave the property, the exemption ends from the date you leave. If you are between years and the property is empty over summer, an empty property exemption may apply for a limited period.

If you own the property yourself, the rules are more complex — the property may be liable for council tax during vacation periods when it is empty. Check with your council.

If You've Been Incorrectly Charged

If you are a full-time student and have been charged council tax in error, contact your local council with your student exemption certificate. They should cancel the charge and refund any payments made. If the council disputes your exemption status, ask your university to confirm your enrolment in writing. You can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal if the council refuses to apply the exemption.

Separately, if you are paying council tax and believe your property is in the wrong band, you can challenge the band independently of the exemption question. Use TaxBandCheck to check your band against neighbours.

The student council tax exemption saves most full-time students hundreds of pounds per year — but it is not automatic. You need to apply, provide evidence, and reapply each year. If you live with non-students, make sure they know to claim the single person discount they may be entitled to. And if you ever return to a property as a non-student, always check the band before you start paying.

Check your council tax band →

If you need help with a council tax query, our network of council tax specialists can advise.