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Frequently Asked Questions by Students
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Sheffield has a large population of full and part time students. Below are the questions we are most often asked by students. The Council Tax rules for students are complex. Please contact us at Council Tax if you wish to discuss your own personal circumstances.
What is a Student?
The Council Tax rules defines someone as a student if:
He/she is taking a recognised full time course of education at a prescribed educational establishment or institute such as a college or university.
This will include:
- a foreign language assistant, or
- a person under 20 years of age on a part time qualifying course of education, or
- a Project 2000 nurse or student nurse attending an academic course at a university
What is a full time course of study?
A full time course of study is one that:
- lasts for at least one academic year, and
- is for at least 24 weeks each year, and
- an average of 21 hours study per week at the college or university.
Am I still a student if I take a break in studies?
Yes. Providing that you remain enrolled with the establishment and intend to return to these studies.
Am I still a student if I am in a gap year?
No. You will not be classed as a student and you may be liable for Council Tax if you are the owner or tenant of your property. You must be attending a course to qualify as a student. Gap year students do not count as students for Council Tax purposes.
Am I counted as a student during the summer holidays?
Yes. Students are still counted as students for the summer holidays between the years of their course. However if a student finishes one course and starts a new course during the autumn, they are not counted as a student for the summer in between.
Will I have to pay council tax?
It is a well established view that students don’t pay Council Tax. But depending on the agreement you have with your landlord, the type of accommodation you live in and the other people in your household, you may have to pay Council Tax (see the Council Tax liability rules in who pays Council Tax).
Council Tax is a daily charge so if your own circumstances or your household’s circumstances change at any time, the liability and charge for Council Tax may also change.
Everyone in my house is a student
If you live in a property on your own or with others who are all classed as full time students, then you will be exempt from Council Tax.
I have a joint tenancy agreement but not everyone in my house is a student
If you have a joint tenancy agreement with others in your household, any of whom may not be students, then your name will not appear on the bill and you will not have to pay. Only the non-students who are joint tenants are liable for the charge.
I have an individual tenancy agreement but not everyone in my house is a student
If you live in a property with others, but have an individual tenancy agreement, your landlord will be liable for Council Tax. If all tenants are students, then the property will be exempt and your landlord will not be charged.
If your property is let out to a mix of students and non-students, or a person in your household ceases to be a student during the year, your landlord will be charged Council Tax. To protect them from the possibility of a charge, some landlords will charge you an inclusive rent. Your tenancy is an agreement between you and your landlord. The Council Tax office will not be involved in this part of the agreement. After agreeing a tenancy with you, should your landlord attempt to increase your rent as a result of a Council Tax charge due to a non-student being present in your household, you should seek independent advice before agreeing to the increase.
I own my home (or I am the sole tenant) but not everyone in my house is a student
If you live in and own a property (or solely rent a property) and you are a student, but let out a room or part of your property to non-students, they will be counted as visible adults for Council Tax purposes. As the owner (or sole leaseholder) you will personally be liable for a Council Tax charge.
I own my home (or I have a tenancy) jointly with my spouse or civil partner
Similarly, if you share your home with your family and you are a student, any non-student adults will be counted for Council Tax purposes. If you have a non-student spouse or civil partner, and they are joint owner or tenant, they will be liable for the charge, but you will not.
If both you and your spouse or civil partner are students and there are non-students living in your home, then you and your spouse or civil partner will be liable for the charge, but the non-students will not.
The Council Tax rules class the non-student spouses or civil partners of foreign students as students when deciding on the charges and liability for students.
More information is available about student discounts and exemptions.
Please contact us at Council Tax to discuss your own liability for Council Tax.
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