For many students living away from home, managing money is a constant challenge. Rent, food, and bills quickly add up, but one cost many students don’t have to pay is council tax.

Full-Time Students are exempt from paying council tax if the following apply:

• the course lasts for at least one year
• the course involves 21 hours of study per week 

Students living in private accommodation will need to apply for a council tax exemption. This ideally should be done shortly after moving into your property, but can also be done if you receive a council tax bill. 

If there are occupants in the household who do not hold full-time student status, but there is an occupant with full-time student status, they may qualify for a discount. 

Find your local council and apply for your exemption via GOV.UK’s council tax discount tool (enter your postcode to go to the right council page). Apply here. 

• If you live in Coventry, use Coventry City Council’s proof of student status online form to submit evidence here. 
• If you live in North Yorkshire, follow North Yorkshire Council’s guidance and claim an exemption or discount via their council tax pages.
• If you live in London or elsewhere in the UK, apply for a Council Tax discount using your local council's exemption process. You can find your local council here.

You will usually need to provide proof of your student status when applying for a council tax exemption. Your Student Status Letter proves you're officially enrolled at the university. It includes your course name, study dates, and whether you're studying full-time or part-time. This letter is needed as proof of student status to the council.

1. Log in to Nova using your university username and password
2. In Navigation on the left-side menu, select Letters > Create Letter
3. Choose the letter type (e.g., to whom this may concern) and fill in the details
4. Create a letter and download and print it in colour

Student halls of residence are usually automatically exempt from council tax. If you receive a council tax bill, you can apply for an exemption. 

Postgraduate students may struggle to prove they are a student for council tax purposes if they are not currently studying/working at the university campus or in the thesis stage of their course. If you receive a bill and you are undertaking the course for the period of time needed to be in class for a full-time student, you can challenge the council's decision. 

For any questions with the council or if you need support in challenging a council tax bill decision, Your Advice Service can provide you with support and guidance. You can contact the service via their online enquiry form.