Full-time students in the UK may be eligible for a 100% discount on their Council Tax bill, but the reduction is not applied automatically and must be claimed.
Council Tax is an annual bill paid to the local authority. The amount is set by the council to help fund local services and depends on circumstances, the home's valuation band, and how much the council needs to raise.
According to Gov.uk, "you'll usually have to pay Council Tax if you're 18 or over. A full Council Tax bill is based on at least 2 adults living in a home. Spouses and partners who live together are jointly responsible for paying the bill."
Who qualifies for the discount?
The Welsh Government confirms that "full-time students may not have to pay Council Tax if their accommodation meets certain criteria."
You do not have to pay Council Tax if you are a full-time student living in:
- A flat, apartment, house, or bedsit on your own
- A flat, apartment, house, or bedsit occupied only by other full-time students
- Student halls of residence
It explains: "If you meet one of these categories, your term-time address is treated as your main residence for the entire duration of your course. This means you do not have to pay Council Tax even during holidays or non-term periods. Where the property was occupied for at least 6 weeks, the exemption can continue for up to four months after it was last occupied."
Definition of a full-time student
For Council Tax purposes, you are normally considered a full-time student if you meet one of the following:
Higher education students are enrolled on a qualifying course that involves at least 21 hours of study per week during term time and lasts for at least 24 weeks per academic year.
Younger students (under 20) in further education are under 20 years old, studying for a qualification up to A level or equivalent, on a course lasting at least 3 months, and involving 12 hours or more study per week.
Student nurses are undertaking a course at a college of nursing and midwifery or college of health, and if successful would lead to first inclusion on the register maintained under section 10 of the Nurses Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979.
How to apply and other disregarded groups
You still need to apply for a Council Tax discount or exemption, even if you are classed as disregarded. It will not be applied automatically. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, contact your local council for advice. If you have been awarded a discount in error, you must let the council know. If you do not, you could be fined and asked to repay the money.
Some people are not counted — also known as 'disregarded' — when working out how many adults live in a property. If someone in your household is disregarded, you may be eligible for a discount.
The Welsh Government notes that people who are not counted when working out the Council Tax bill for a property includes:
- A person aged 18 or over who is still entitled to Child Benefit
- School and college leavers aged under 20 years old
- Apprentices
- Full-time students
- Foreign Language Assistants registered with the British Council
- The spouse, civil partner or dependant of a full-time student, if they are a non-British citizen who is not allowed under immigration rules to claim benefits or work in the UK
- A person diagnosed as having a Significant Cognitive Impairment (SCI)
- A person staying in certain hostels or night shelters
- A person living in a hostel that provides care or treatment due to old age, disability, mental illness, or alcohol/drug dependence
- A person who is in prison or detained (including those awaiting deportation or detained under mental health legislation)
- A person who provides full-time care for someone who is not their husband, wife, partner or child under 18
- Members of religious communities
- Members of visiting armed forces and their dependants
- A person living in a hospital as a long-term patient
- A person living in a care home or nursing home
- Care leavers
- A person from Ukraine being hosted under the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme
- Diplomats
If you believe you are paying more than you should, contact your local authority Council Tax department to check whether you are eligible for support. Further details on discounts and how to get one are available via the Welsh Government website, including what to do if you live with a student and are not one yourself.
