Council Tax Exemption for Students: Eligibility, Proof & Pitfalls

Council Tax exemption for students is simple in practice: if everyone in your home is a full-time student, your property is usually Class N exempt (no Council Tax), and halls of residence are Class M (automatic exemption). In a mixed household, the non-student is normally liable but may get a 25% single-person/disregard discount.

To claim, you typically submit a Student Status Certificate showing your course start and end dates. Your exemption starts from the official course start date and usually ends the day after your course finishes.

If you’re in an HMO, the landlord is often the liable party. If someone in the home is liable and on a low income, explore Council Tax Reduction (CTR).

Key takeaways

• Eligibility: Full-time student households qualify for Class N; halls are Class M.
• Mixed households: One non-student usually pays with 25% discount.
• Proof required: Student Status Certificate with official dates.
• Timing traps: Starts on course start; ends day after course end.
• Apply & fix: Apply via council, query HMOs, request backdating, check CTR.

1) Eligibility: Who actually counts as a full-time student?

A full-time student usually studies for at least one academic year (24+ weeks) and at least 21 hours per week during term time.

If everyone in your property is full-time, your home is normally exempt under Class N. Halls are exempt under Class M. Placements, sandwich years, and PhD writing-up often still qualify if the university confirms ongoing full-time status.

Who doesn’t qualify? Part-time students are usually liable unless another discount applies. Interruptions or pauses can change your status—always check with your registry.

Example: Amara studies 24 hours/week for 30 weeks and lives with two full-time students. Their home is exempt. If one switches to part-time, exemption is lost.

2) Liability & Mixed Households

• All full-time students → fully exempt
• Students in halls → automatic exemption
• One non-student → liable with 25% discount
• Two+ non-students → no discount
• HMOs → landlord often liable

Example: Toby (non-student) lives with two students and gets 25% discount. If another non-student moves in, the discount disappears.

3) Proof & Applying

Councils usually require a Student Status Certificate. Most universities provide this via the student portal.

• Council Tax account number
• Names of all adult occupiers
• University name and student ID
• Student Status Certificate

4) International Students & Regional Differences

International students are treated the same as UK students. Dependants with “no recourse to public funds” visas are often disregarded.

Course start and end dates — not arrival or graduation — define liability.

5) Pitfalls, Examples & Quick Fixes

• Post-course bill shock
• Switching to part-time
• Mixed household confusion
• HMO liability errors
• Forgetting to re-submit proof
• Pre-term arrivals
• Assuming summer always counts

Also read: Bills Included Student Housing: Fair Usage Explained

Conclusion: Keep it simple, keep it documented

If your home is made up entirely of full-time students, you shouldn’t be paying Council Tax. Double-check enrollment status, tenancy type, and dates.

Gather your Student Status Certificate, submit through your council portal, and set reminders to re-evidence each year. If someone is liable and low-income, explore Council Tax Reduction (CTR).

And if you want a vetted, comfortable place to live with people who understand student admin, infinitestay.in is ready to help you find a great room and breeze through the paperwork.