If you’re a student who owns a property and you’ve left your property unoccupied because you’re living somewhere else while you study, you may be eligible for the Class K exemption. The property can be furnished or unfurnished. 

Exemption conditions

When last occupied, the property must have been the sole or main residence of a person who is a student or if more than one, they were all students and the owner is a student.

The student must be a 'qualifying person' -- that is, must be the person who would be liable to pay the council tax if it were not for the exemption.

The student must have begun living elsewhere for study purposes within six weeks of leaving the property.

The course must be a full-time course -- that is, it lasts for at least one academic year, take more than 24 weeks in that year and involves more than 21 hours a week of study.

An exemption does not apply if any non-students lived in the property.

How to apply

You need to download and complete the application form and send it to the postal or email address on the form.

Apply for an exemption on a property left unoccupied by a full-time student

You also need to provide a student certificate - you can get this from the student administrator at your college or university. You cannot claim the exemption with a letter of acceptance onto a course.

Duration of exemption

The exemption only lasts for the duration of the full-time course.

Related discounts and exemptions

A property that is occupied entirely by students is exempt from council tax under exemption Class N.

There is also a student and trainees council tax discount.