Southampton City Council fact sheet
Do students have to pay council tax?
If you live in a hall of residence or accommodation which is wholly occupied by full-time students, such as a shared student house, the property will be exempt from council tax.
Do I have to apply for exemption or is it automatically granted?
If you live in a hall of residence the exemption is automatic. If you live elsewhere, you need to notify the council tax billing office that you live in an exempt property and each occupant will need to show us their student certificate.
What is a student certificate?
A document with your course and registration dates printed on it. If you are at Southampton University you can obtain a copy from your academic registrar/student records department. We need to see original certificates not photocopies. Solent University provide us with a list of students registered with them for the academic year.
What if you start renting before your course starts?
It is common for students to reserve a property in the summer period before the course commences. Contact the council tax office and advise them you are a student. You will be told to produce your certificate when you receive it in October/November.
The application for an exemption or reduction will be backdated to when you took up the tenancy. Please remember if you do not contact us you will receive a council tax bill for the full amount.
What if there are several students sharing?
It would be a good idea to nominate someone to collect all the certificates in your house as soon as possible and then you can be sure that any reduction will be actioned in good time.
Please remember it is the student’s responsibility to produce the certificates and failure to do so means a charge will have to be paid.
How do we define a student?
Higher education – A student (over 18) undertaking a full-time course of education at a prescribed educational establishment, ie a university.
Further education – A student (18 to 20) on a full-time course of education studying, for example, ‘A’ level certificates or ONC/OND qualifications.
Overseas students – If you are an overseas student you can still qualify for an exemption. If you have a non-British partner the exemption will cover you both, providing neither of you are working or receiving state benefit.
Student nurses – Student nurses studying academic courses at universities are considered to be ‘students’.
Student nurses taking a course at a college of nursing and midwifery or a college of health, which will lead to their first qualification as a nurse, midwife or health visitor are also considered to be ‘students’. They are entitled to any discounts or exemptions in the same way as other students.
Foreign language assistants – If you are a foreign language assistant you will not be issued with a student certificate. Instead we will check you are registered with the Central Bureau for Education Visits and Exchanges to confirm your discount or exemption.
Apprentices – You must be earning no more than £195 per week (as at 1/4/07) and your training must lead to a recognised NVQ qualification.
New Deal trainees – You must be under the age of 25.
I’m under 18, do I have to pay council tax?
If you are under 18 you will not be taken into account when the council tax bill is calculated and you will not be liable to pay.
I receive income support; can I get help towards paying council tax?
If you are on income support or any other benefit you may still be entitled to council tax benefit to cover your share of the bill. For more information please contact benefit services on 023 8083 3009.
What happens if there are non-students living in the household?
If there are two or more non-students living in the household the full bill is payable and you will not qualify for exemption. If there is only one non-student living in the household you will qualify for a 25 per cent discount on your council tax bill.
Who has to pay the bill?
From April 1, 2004 students living with non-students are not held to be jointly and severally liable as co-resident (except the spouse/partner of the non-student).
However, a student will be liable to pay council tax if he/she has the highest interest in the property. For example, a resident owner who is a full-time student is liable for 75 per cent of the charge where the non-student is a lodger.
If one of the students has a higher interest in the property than the other occupants, that is , has a tenancy agreement in their name only, that person will be liable for 75 per cent of the council tax if a non-student is a resident.
If a property has been designated as a ‘house in multiple occupation’ then the landlord or owner will be liable to pay the bill, if there are any non-student residents.
What is a house in multiple occupation?
Houses in multiple occupation are:
Properties that were built or adapted for multiple occupation or,
Properties occupied by more than one household, where the residents pay rent separately for different parts of the property and share cooking or washing facilities.
The owner or leaseholder of the whole property will be the person who is liable to pay the council tax, although any student discount or exemptions will still help to reduce the bill.
Please contact us for an application form or for more information if you think this may apply to you.
How do I pay?
If you have anything to pay, you can pay your council tax in monthly instalments. When your bill is issued a direct debit form will be enclosed.
You may also send a cheque quoting the account number. Payment slips will only be issued with the annual bill in March.
If you find it difficult to keep up with your payments, please ask us for help as soon as possible to avoid building up arrears.
What if my circumstances change?
If you are claiming council tax exemption and there is a change in your circumstances or those of anyone in your household, you must tell us be completing a change in circumstances form. You can download these from the council website (www.southampton.gov.uk) or you can collect one from Gateway at One Guildhall Square.
Examples of change in circumstances include:
Changing your address
You or someone you live with leaves their course
The people you are living with change.
Contact Name
Last updated: 21 February 2012