Are international students exempt from council tax?

Yes. Full-time students on a Student visa are exempt from council tax. If you live in a property where all occupants are full-time students, the household pays no council tax. If you live with non-students, the exemption applies differently and the non-student residents may still need to pay.

How do I prove I am a full-time student for council tax?

You need a student status letter (sometimes called a council tax exemption certificate) from your university or college. This letter confirms your name, course, and that you are a full-time student. Submit this to your local council. Most universities provide this through their student portal or student services office.

Do I still get the exemption during summer holidays?

Yes. As long as you are enrolled on a full-time course that runs for at least one academic year and includes at least 24 weeks of study, you are exempt for the entire period of your course, including holidays between terms.

What if I live with a non-student partner?

If you live with a non-student, they will be liable for council tax. However, they may qualify for a 25% single person discount since students are disregarded for council tax purposes. The exact rules depend on your local council, so contact them directly.

Student Visa Council Tax Exemption: How to Claim

Full-time international students are exempt from council tax in the UK. If every person living in a property is a full-time student, no council tax is payable. You need to provide your local council with a student status letter from your university. This guide covers the rules, the application process, and common situations that cause confusion.

What Is Council Tax?

Council tax is a local tax charged on residential properties in the UK. It pays for local services such as waste collection, street lighting, and emergency services. The amount depends on the value of your property and which council area you live in. Bills typically range from 1,000 to 3,000 GBP per year.

As a full-time student on a Student visa, you are exempt from paying council tax. This can save you a significant amount of money each year, but you need to actively claim the exemption.

Who Qualifies for the Exemption

You qualify for council tax exemption if you are:

Enrolled on a full-time course at a UK university or college
Your course is at least one academic year long
Your course involves at least 24 weeks of study per year
You study for at least 21 hours per week during those weeks

Most undergraduate and postgraduate courses at UK universities meet these criteria. Some part-time or short courses do not qualify. If you are unsure, check with your university.

How to Claim

Get your student status letter. Ask your university for a council tax exemption certificate or student status letter. Many universities provide this through an online portal. The letter must confirm your name, the name of the institution, your course, the start and end dates, and that you are studying full-time.
Contact your local council. Find your council's website and look for the council tax section. Most councils have an online form for student exemptions.
Submit the letter. Upload or post your student status letter to the council. If you live with other students, each person may need to provide their own letter.
Confirm the exemption. The council will update your account. You should receive confirmation that no council tax is payable (or that a discount has been applied if you live with non-students).

Mixed Households

If you live with people who are not full-time students, the exemption works differently:

All occupants are students: The property is fully exempt. No council tax is payable.
You are the only student: You are "disregarded" for council tax purposes. The non-student occupants are still liable, but they may qualify for a 25% single person discount since you are disregarded.
Mix of students and non-students: The non-students are liable for the full amount (or a discounted amount depending on how many non-students live there).

If you are renting with other international students, make sure everyone gets their student letter to ensure full exemption for the household.

When the Exemption Ends

Your council tax exemption ends when your course ends, even if your Student visa has not yet expired. If you move to the Graduate Route after completing your course, you will be liable for council tax as a Graduate Route visa holder is not classified as a student.

If you extend your studies (for example, progressing from a bachelor's to a master's via a Student visa extension), you remain exempt for the duration of the new course.

What If You Receive a Council Tax Bill?

If you receive a council tax bill despite being a full-time student, do not ignore it. Contact your council immediately and provide your student status letter. Bills can accumulate quickly, and unpaid council tax can lead to enforcement action.

If you moved into a new property and did not inform the council of your student status, they will issue a bill by default. You need to actively claim the exemption for each property you live in.

Related Guides

For official information, see the GOV.UK council tax exemptions page and the GOV.UK Student visa page.