What is Council Tax?

Council Tax is a property-based tax for public services provided by the local council. There is one charge per domestic property. The charge is issued to the liable person(s) who must pay the charge and collect any contributions from residents.

It is a yearly charge normally paid in ten or twelve monthly instalments, starting in April.

Do full-time students have to pay?

No, if you live in university halls, or if everybody living in the house/flat is a full-time student you do not have to pay council tax.

Do part-time student have to pay?

Yes, part-time students have to pay Council Tax.

What is the definition of ¡®student¡¯ for council tax purposes?

A full-time student is typically someone who:

1. Attends a university or college course lasting at least one academic year, studying for at least 21 hours per week for 24 weeks or more.
2. Remains a student until the course ends or they withdraw.
3. Repeats a full-time course on a part-time basis or temporarily suspends studies, including during a placement year.
4. Is not considered a full-time student if the course is job-related, such as day release.

How do I tell the council I am exempt?

If you have consented to share your information then the University will pass your details on to the following councils:

To confirm your details with the Council, email them with your address, student ID number, and mention that you are a University of Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖÆåÅÆ_Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖAPP-¹ÙÍø|ÏÂÔØ student. The Council will then verify your details against their records.

As long as your Term Time address is correct in our systems you do not need to take any further action unless your local council contacts you for more information. If you did not consent to us sharing this data during the enrolment process, you are responsible for supplying a Proof of Enrolment letter to your council directly.

PLEASE NOTE: The University shares student data with participating local councils on five key dates each year, starting at the end of October to allow for student enrollment. If you need to confirm your student status before November, you'll need to send the council a proof of enrolment letter, which can be generated through the provided link below if you're a full-time student.

What if I live outside of the above council areas?

If you do not live in one of the participating council areas, you can generate a Proof of Enrolment letter and send it directly to your local council office.

What if I encounter a problem?

Please e-mail counciltax@soton.ac.uk and we will respond to your query as soon as we can.

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How Your Situation May Affect Council Tax

I am thinking of moving to Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖÆåÅÆ_Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖAPP-¹ÙÍø|ÏÂÔØ a few weeks before my course starts. Will I have to pay Council Tax?

Yes, if you move to Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖÆåÅÆ_Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖAPP-¹ÙÍø|ÏÂÔØ a few weeks before your course starts, you may need to pay Council Tax for that period. Council Tax exemption typically begins on the start date of your course, so you will be liable for Council Tax until then. However, once your course officially begins, you should be exempt as a full-time student.

I am thinking of suspending my studies, will I still have to pay Council Tax during my period of suspension?

If you're considering suspending your studies, your liability for Council Tax will depend on your specific situation. In the UK, full-time students are generally exempt from paying Council Tax, but this exemption may change during a suspension.

Here are some points to consider:

• Suspension Duration: If your suspension is temporary and you are still registered as a student at your university, you may still be considered a student for Council Tax purposes. However, if you're suspended for a prolonged period and no longer registered as a student, you may lose your exemption.
• Notification: It's important to inform your local council if you are suspending your studies, as they may need to reassess your Council Tax liability.
• Part-Time or Non-Student Status: If your suspension means you're no longer considered a full-time student, you may be liable to pay Council Tax. If you are classified as a non-student or part-time student, you may be charged.
• Exemption Criteria: If you are the only person in your household, or if others are also full-time students, you may still be exempt from Council Tax.

You should contact your local council to explain your situation and confirm whether you will need to pay Council Tax during your period of suspension.

For more advise, you can also contact the Advice Centre at advice@susu.org or call 023 8059 2085.

What happens if I withdraw?

Yes, if you leave your studies and continue living in your property, you will generally become liable to pay Council Tax for the period you remain there. For example, if you leave your course in November but stay in the property until February, you would need to pay Council Tax for that period (November to February).

However, it is recommended to seek advice from your local council, as you may be eligible for a reduction or exemption based on your specific circumstances. This could include circumstances like being on a low income or living with others who are full-time students, which might still reduce or eliminate your liability.

I will be in full-time paid work during my placement year. Will I have to pay Council Tax?

If your placement is an assessed part of your undergraduate program, you are still considered a full-time student, even though you are working full-time during the placement year. This means you would remain exempt from paying Council Tax, as long as you continue to meet the full-time student criteria.

However, you will still need to inform your local council (e.g., the council where your property is located) about your student status. In this case, you would notify them that you are a full-time student at the University of Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖÆåÅÆ_Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖAPP-¹ÙÍø|ÏÂÔØ and that your placement is part of your degree.

By doing so, the council can update their records and ensure that you continue to receive your Council Tax exemption during your placement year.

I am an International Student and I have my family living with me. Are they exempt from Council Tax?

This will depend on your personal circumstances. For further information, you should contact the Advice Centre by emailing advice@susu.org or calling 023 8059 2085.

I am a final-year student. When do I have to start paying Council Tax?

You will become liable for Council Tax from the date your University enrolment ends - usually the last day of the summer term (normally mid-June).

I am a research student. Do I have to pay Council Tax?

You do not have to pay Council Tax while you are enrolled as a full-time student. If you change your enrolment from full-time to part-time you will become liable for Council Tax from the date of this change.

Please note: Students moving into Nominal Registration will need to discuss the implications directly with their local council.

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Additional Questions

One person in our household is not a full-time student. How much do we have to pay?

The property will be considered as having one occupant, and a 25% single person's discount will be applied to the total Council Tax charge. Legally, the non-student is responsible for paying the Council Tax, but you may want to discuss this as a household. It is the responsibility of each student living at the property to inform the council that they are a full-time student at the University of Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖÆåÅÆ_Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖAPP-¹ÙÍø|ÏÂÔØ.

One person in our household is not a full-time student and is on benefits. How much do we have to pay?

The property will receive a 25% single person's discount on the total Council Tax bill. If the single occupant is receiving Income Support or Job Seeker's Allowance (income-based), they may be eligible for assistance through the Housing Benefit system, potentially covering the full Council Tax bill. In this case, the students will not be considered for the bill.

It is the responsibility of each student living at the property to inform the council that they are a full-time student at the University of Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖÆåÅÆ_Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖAPP-¹ÙÍø|ÏÂÔØ.

More than one person in our household is not a full-time student. How much do we have to pay?

If two or more non-full-time students live in a property, no discounts will be applied, and the full annual Council Tax charge will be payable. Legally, the responsibility to pay lies with the non-students, but it may be worth discussing this as a household.

Each student residing at the property is responsible for informing the council that they are a full-time student at the University of Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖÆåÅÆ_Ìì·¢ÓéÀÖAPP-¹ÙÍø|ÏÂÔØ.

One person in our household is not a full-time student. They have left the property without paying their Council Tax, are we liable?

No, you cannot be taken to court for the non-payment of someone else's bill. For further information, you should contact the Advice Centre by emailing advice@susu.org or calling 023 8059 2085.

What happens if I don't pay my council tax?

If you do not pay your Council Tax, the council can initiate legal proceedings through the magistrates¡¯ court, and non-payers could face imprisonment. If you are threatened with legal action or receive a summons, seek advice immediately and do not ignore any Council Tax-related letters. If you agree to pay by monthly installments and miss three payments, the full amount of Council Tax will become due.

For further advice, contact the Advice Centre by emailing advice@susu.org or calling 023 8059 2085.

Useful links

How do I update my address?

Generate a Proof of Enrolment letter