For council tax purposes, people such as students, and those on certain apprenticeship schemes, will not be counted when looking at the number of adults living in a property. This may mean that the bill is reduced by 25% depending on who else lives with you.
Students
To qualify you must be either:
a) attending a full time course of further or higher education at a University, College or other educational establishment. The course must last for at least 1 year and involve at least 21 hours attendance per week for at least 24 weeks in the year.
OR
b) under 20 years of age and attending a course which lasts more than 3 calendar months and involves at least 12 hour attendance per week between 8am and 5.30pm.
You'll need to ask your college or university for a student certificate (unless you attend the University of Derby where this is not needed). You can photograph or scan this and upload it with your application form.
Student nurses
As a student nurse you can get a discount on your council tax bill if you are taking a degree course which, if successfully completed, would lead to employment as a nurse, midwife or health visitor.
Apprentices
An apprentice will be disregarded if he / she is:
- employed for the purpose of learning a trade, profession, business, office, employment or vocation
- undertaking a programme of training leading to an accredited qualification
- receiving a salary or allowance of less than £195 per week, and
- that salary or allowance is substantially less than he/she would expect to receive when qualified
You'll also need to ask your employer to complete an employers certificate -
Employers certificate for apprentices [110KB]
