Apply for student Council Tax discount or exemption

Full-time students do not have to pay Council Tax. Students can apply for a discount or exemption, depending on who else lives at the property with them.

Who can apply

• If you and all the adults living in a property are full-time students, you can apply for an exemption from Council Tax
• If one or more of the people living in the property are full-time students, you can get a reduction in your Council Tax
• If one of the adults living in the property is not a full-time student, you could get a discount of up to 25%. The non-student would need to pay the rest of the bill
• If more than one adult living in the property are not full-time students, you would not get a reduction. The full charge would need to be paid by the non-students

To count as a full-time student, you must be on a course:

• lasting at least one year 
• involving a minimum of 21 hours study per week

If you study for a qualification up to A level and you’re 20 or under, your course must: 

• last at least three months
• involve at least 12 hours study per week

Courses that are not included for discount or exemption:

• evening classes  
• courses taken as part of your job, eg day release

How to apply

• get a Council Tax student certificate for each student living in the property. You can get these from your place of education 
• use our Apply for Council Tax discount or exemption form to upload the certificate and complete your application,  you will need your Council Tax account reference number.

Apply for Student Council Tax discount or exemption

For help with your application, or to upload supporting documents contact the Council Tax team