A Students Guide to Council Tax

What is a student?

For Council Tax purposes, a student must be enrolled on a full-time course at a College, University or other educational establishment before they can be exempt from paying Council Tax.

What is Council Tax Paid on?

Council Tax is a property charge and every domestic property must be charged according to its circumstances. In the case of properties occupied only by students, the property is exempt.

However, the Council has to be satisfied that the exemption is correct, so you may have to provide a Student Certificate and complete a Student Claim form.

Where can I get a Student Certificate and Claim Form?

Your College/University admin department can provide you with a Student Certificate, which will confirm which full-time course you are attending and your start and end dates for your course.

You can obtain a Student Claim Form from the Council Tax section of High Peak Borough Council.

When will I be responsible for arranging my Exemption?

Many students attending the Buxton Campus will be living in the Halls of Residence. If you have accommodation in a Hall of Residence, you will not need to provide any forms, as the properties will be exempted automatically.

There are other properties which have been leased from private Landlords who are on the "approved properties" list at the University. Information about these can be obtained from the Accommodations Manager at the Buxton Campus. If you live in one of these, the Council needs to confirm your name, student status and course dates and will contact the University direct, but please be aware that the Council may need to contact the property to check on circumstances.

If you rent a property privately, you need to obtain a Student Claim form and return it with your Student Certificate, to the Council tax section at the Council Offices, Hayfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith, SK23 0QJ. The property will be exempt as long as it is occupied solely by Students.

I still live at home with my family, can I get any discount?

If you are a Student, you are considered to be disregarded for Council Tax purposes.

Count the number of adults over 18 who live in your home, ignoring yourself. If there are 2 or more adults who should not be disregarded, no discount can apply. If the answer is one, the person who pays the Council Tax bill can have a discount of 25% and should contact the Council Tax section for a Student Claim form. You will need to ask the University for a Student Certificate to send in with it.

Am I still a Student during the holidays?

While you are still on the same course, you are considered to be a student during the holidays.

It is important that your Student Certificate reflects the course dates, otherwise your exemption will run out after your first year.

If your course changes, you will not be exempt for the period between different courses.

I own a property somewhere else, do I have to pay Council Tax on it?

If you have left a property empty to study in a different area, the property can be exempted. (This only applies to the home that you were living in, not other properties or second homes you may also own). Contact the Local Authority in the area where you live for more information. You will probably have to confirm your circumstances in writing and provide your Student Certificate.

Need more help?

Ring us on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400 for more information or e-mail us at: counciltax@highpeak.gov.uk

Please send your forms and certificates to:

Council Tax Section
Council Offices
Hayfield Road
Chapel-en-le-Frith
High Peak
SK23 0QJ