Council Tax

In each area the Local Authority collects Council Tax to help fund local services including education, police and fire. The charge is based on the value of the property, and is paid yearly.

Under most circumstances full time students are exempt from having to pay Council Tax.

Who is exempt?  

• Students who are in full time education (not a part time course)
• If a property has only full time students living in it

Are there any exceptions?

• If there are one or more non-students living in a property with other full time students, then Council Tax will be liable on the property. If there is only one non-student living with a group of full time students, then only 75% of the full amount will be payable. If there is more than one non-student, then the full amount will be liable. It is important to note that in this instance all tenants will be equally liable to pay the Council Tax on that property, not just the non-student.
• If you are between courses (i.e. between undergraduate and postgraduate study) you are liable to pay Council Tax
• If you are in the writing up stage of your study after the official enrolled study period has ended you are liable to pay Council Tax

I have received a Council Tax bill - How do I confirm my exemption?

The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University provide lists of all their full time students to Nottingham, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe Borough Councils. If you receive a Council Tax bill, usually it will be sufficient to contact the relevant Local Authority and give them a list of all the students living in your property to receive an exemption for your property.

If you are a student at a college, or if your name was not on one of the lists provided by your university, you will need to provide proof of your student status. Visit your university or college administration department, and they will be able to provide you with a Council Tax Exemption Certificate which you will need to present to your Local Authority. It will not usually be sufficient to show your student ID card to the Local Authority. If you have received an exemption from paying, you should ensure that the name of your landlord is listed with the Local Authority and appears on the Council Tax bill.

My course is finished – do I need to pay?

When your official enrolled period of study has ended, you will become liable to pay Council Tax.

Is any help available with paying my Council Tax or Rent?

There may be circumstances in which you can get assistance paying your Council Tax or rent after you have finished your course.

If you are:

• on a low income – including low earnings 
• responsible for paying rent or council tax
  
• your savings are less than £16,000 (different capital rules apply to people over 60)

you may be entitled to Housing or Council Tax Benefit.

How much will I get?

The amount you receive will be calculated based on the following:

• Money you and your partner have coming in, for example, earnings, some benefits, tax credits and occupational pensions
  
• You and your partner's capital, savings and investments
  
• Your circumstances, such as your age, the number of people in your household, the ages of your children and whether you or any of your household are disabled

How do I claim?

To make a claim you will need to submit a completed application form and provide any other relevant documents as proof. Further details of this can be obtained by contacting your relevant Local Authority.

If you have any questions about Council Tax please contact the relevant Local Authority:

Nottingham City – 0115 915 4851

Broxtowe – 0115 917 7777

Rushcliffe – 0115 981 9911