Do Students Pay Council Tax? Exemptions and Discounts Explained (2026)
Last updated: 30 September 2026
Short answer: if everyone in your home is a full-time student, you don’t pay council tax. If you share with people who aren’t students, the household gets a bill, but it may qualify for a 25% or 50% discount. None of this happens automatically, so you usually have to tell your council. This guide covers England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland handle things a little differently, so check your local council.
Who counts as a full-time student for council tax?
According to GOV.UK, you count as a full-time student if your course:
- lasts at least 1 year, and
- involves at least 21 hours of study per week.
If you are under 20 and studying for a qualification up to A level, your course must last at least 3 months and involve at least 12 hours a week.
Part-time students usually don’t count, so they may have to pay.
The three most common situations
| Who lives in the property | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Everyone is a full-time student | Nothing. The property is exempt |
| Students plus one non-student adult | Bill with a 25% discount (the non-student is treated as living alone) |
| Students plus two or more non-student adults | Full bill (no student discount) |
This works because full-time students are “disregarded” when the council counts the adults in a home.
Who else is “disregarded”?
Several other groups don’t count either, which can increase a household’s discount. They include:
- student nurses
- apprentices (with a declaration from your employer)
- 18 and 19-year-olds in full-time education
- under-25s receiving Education and Skills Funding Agency support
- foreign language assistants registered with the British Council
If everyone in the home is disregarded but they don’t all qualify for the student exemption, the bill is reduced by 50%.
What about halls of residence?
Student halls are normally exempt from council tax, so students living in halls don’t receive a bill. If you get one, contact your university accommodation office and your council.
How to claim your student exemption
- Get a council tax exemption certificate (sometimes called a student status letter) from your university. Many universities let you download it from the student portal.
- Contact your local council. Most have an online form for student exemptions. Search for “[your council name] council tax student exemption”.
- Send the certificate for every student in the property, with names and course dates.
- Keep copies and check the next bill shows the exemption or discount.
Tip: do this as soon as you move in. Councils can send bills in the first few weeks, and it’s easier to sort out before arrears build up.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring a bill because “students don’t pay”. If you do nothing, the council may take enforcement action. Reply and send your certificate.
- Summer gaps. Between the end of one course and the start of another, or after graduation, you may no longer count as a student. Check the dates on your tenancy.
- Dropping to part-time. Tell the council if your status changes. Claiming a discount you’re not entitled to can mean repaying it plus a fine.
Frequently asked questions
Do international students pay council tax?
Full-time international students get the same exemption as UK students. A spouse or dependant who isn’t a student may affect the bill, so contact your council.
Do students pay council tax in their final summer?
Usually you stop counting as a student once your course ends, so a bill may start from that date if you stay in the property.
Do postgraduate students pay council tax?
Full-time postgraduate students (for example on a full-time master’s or PhD) generally count as students if they meet the course criteria above.
Sources: GOV.UK – Council Tax discounts for full-time students; GOV.UK – who has to pay Council Tax. This article is general information. Your local council makes the final decision.