Apply for a Council Tax exemption if only students live in your property

Your property is exempt from Council Tax if only students live there. It'll be exempt for the term of their tenancy, including during the holidays.

You'll need to apply for this exemption. You will not get it automatically.

Who can apply

You can apply if you live in or own the property and only students live there. The students must be either:

• full-time students
• apprentices and youth trainees
• under 20 and has Child Benefit paid for them
• foreign language assistants

What you need to apply

You’ll need your 8-digit Council Tax account number. It’s shown at the top of your most recent Council Tax bill. 

The form may ask you to upload proof that you're eligible for a discount. 

Proof we need

A student certificate from each student's college or university. It must include the:

• student's full name
• student's date of birth
• student's current address
• name and address of the college or university
• name of their course
• number of course hours each week
• start date and expected end date of their course

We will not accept a course acceptance letter.

We also need a full copy of their tenancy agreement - it must include every page.

If a non-British spouse of a full-time student lives there, we need a copy of their passport and visa.

Apply

You must answer all the questions on the form even if you know which discount you’re applying for. 

What happens next

It can take up to 21 days for us to process your application and decide if you're eligible.

We may ask you for more proof.

If you're eligible for the discount, we'll send you an updated bill.

You must tell us within 21 days about any change in your circumstances that may affect your entitlement to a discount or exemption. If you do not tell us, you could get a £70 fixed penalty.

If we decide you're not eligible, you can appeal our decision.