Council Tax explained (and the student exemption)

Council Tax is a local tax collected by your council to fund services like waste collection, roads, libraries and social care. It is one of the bigger household bills and one that many new arrivals are not expecting - so it is important to understand it from the moment you move in.

Who pays Council Tax?

Generally, the person (or people) who live in the property as their main home are responsible for paying. This is usually the tenant in a rented property - unless the tenancy agreement says the landlord pays, which is common in some all-inclusive house shares. If you are unsure, check your tenancy agreement or ask your landlord in writing.

How much is it?

Council Tax is based on the band of your property (A to H in England, A to I in Wales), set at the time of the last valuation. Each council sets its own rates, so the amount varies by area. As a rough guide, for an average Band D property, annual bills across England range from around £1,400 to over £2,000 - but always check with your specific council for the current figure, as rates change every April. You can find your property’s band and your local council’s rates at gov.uk/council-tax.

The single-person discount (25% off)

If you live alone - or you are the only adult counted for Council Tax purposes - you are entitled to a 25% discount. Contact your council to apply as soon as you are in that situation. You will need to provide your address and confirm you are the sole adult resident. The discount is not applied automatically.

Full exemption for full-time students

Full-time students are completely exempt from Council Tax - they are “disregarded” for the purpose of the bill. This means:

• A property where all residents are full-time students pays zero Council Tax.
• If you share with non-students, the non-students still receive the bill - but any full-time students in the house are ignored when counting the number of adults, which can trigger the single-person or other discounts for the remaining residents.

To claim the exemption, you will need a Council Tax Exemption Certificate from your university or college. Most universities issue these automatically or on request through the student portal. Send or upload it to your local council. This is particularly important at the start of each academic year or if you move to a new address.

Other discounts and exemptions

• Council Tax Reduction (CTR) - if you are on a low income, you may qualify for a reduction. Contact your local council to apply.
• Severe mental impairment, certain carers, apprentices, and under-18s can also be disregarded in some circumstances.

What happens if you do not pay?

Council Tax debt is taken seriously. If you miss payments, the council will send a reminder, then a final notice. After that, they can take you to court for a liability order, which can lead to bailiffs, deductions from your wages, or in extreme cases, prison (for wilful non-payment). If you are struggling, contact your council immediately - most will agree a payment plan.

Full details, including how to find your band, apply for discounts and contact your council, are on the official page: gov.uk/council-tax and gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay.