Guides › Public Services › Council Tax for Students: Exemptions and Discounts
Council Tax for Students: Exemptions and Discounts
A home is exempt from council tax if it is only occupied by full-time university or college students. Student halls are automatically exempt. If you share with one adult who is not a full-time student, the bill usually gets a 25% discount, because students are disregarded. A full-time course lasts at least a year, for at least 24 weeks, with at least 21 hours of study a week in term time. Your college must give you a certificate if you ask.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Exemptions and Discounts
Students Only
A property is exempt if it is only occupied by full-time university or college students. Student halls of residence are automatically exempt. source
Mixed Households
If you share with someone who is not a full-time student, the property is not exempt. If there is only one eligible adult, there is a 25% discount. If two or more non-student adults live there, they are likely to be liable for 100% of the bill unless one qualifies for a discount. source
Full Time and Certificates
A full-time course lasts at least 1 calendar or academic year, for at least 24 weeks of that year, and normally involves at least 21 hours of study, tuition or work experience a week in term time. You can ask your university or college for a certificate, which it must provide unless more than a year has passed since the course finished. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 1 yearMinimum course lengthFor at least 24 weeks of it
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Ask your college for a student certificate.
Step 2 of 5
Send it to your council with a request to apply the exemption or discount.
Step 3 of 5
Check any bill sent to students by mistake.
Step 4 of 5
Ask for a written decision if refused.
Step 5 of 5
Ask the council to review it, then appeal to the Valuation Tribunal if needed.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Local Council
Housing or environmental health team. It can act on landlord breaches.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Rules on council tax are set nationally but bills are handled by your council.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different housing rules.
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Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/council-tax/student-housing-council-tax Checked 15 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 8 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026