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Student and Academic Administration

Council Tax Information

This page provides information for students about Council Tax.
This page provides information for students about Council Tax.

This page features Frequently Asked Questions regarding Council Tax. The page is split into three sections: Commonly Asked Questions, How Your Situation May Affect Council Tax and Additional Questions.

Please make sure that you read this page carefully before contacting the University's Student Records team with any queries; your question may be answered by the information on this page. However, if you cannot find an answer to your query on this page then do not hesitate to contact the University's Student Records team.

Do I have to pay Council Tax?  

I am: Answer:
Full-time living in Halls     No, students living in a Hall of Residence do not have to pay Council Tax 
Full-time living out, sharing with all students  No, full-time students living in a house or flat in which only full-time students are living do not have to pay Council Tax, BUT you will need to consent to share your data with the local council or obtain a Proof of Enrolment letter
Full-time, living out, sharing with some students and some who work

No, but the people who work will have to. A house or flat occupied by one non-student and one or more full-time student(s) are liable for 75% of Council Tax. Students who have to pay Council Tax may be eligible for Council Tax Benefit and should contact their local council for further information, BUT you will need to consent to share your data with the local council or obtain a Proof of Enrolment Letter
Part-Time Yes, part-time students have to pay Council Tax

Commonly Asked Questions

I have consented to share my information. What do I do now - I am a full-time student?

If you:

All you need to do is e-mail the Council to tell them of your address and that you are a University of Southampton student and provide your student ID number, and the Council will then check your details against the lists we provide.

Council Postcode Contact

Southampton City Council

 SO14, SO15, SO16, SO17, SO18, SO19 Complete a student discount or exemption application form at https://www.southampton.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-exemptions/student-council-tax-exemption.aspx or email council.tax@Southampton.gov.uk
Eastleigh Borough Council SO18, SO19, SO21, SO30, SO31, SO32, SO50, SO53 revbens@Eastleigh.gov.uk
Winchester City Council Various counciltax@winchester.gov.uk
New Forest District Council SO40, SO41, SO42, SO43, SO45, BH23, BH24, BH25, SP6 Email taxandbenefits@nfdc.gov.uk or alternatively complete a student discount/exemption form at www.newforest.gov.uk
Portsmouth City Council PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4, PO5, PO6, PO7 localtaxation@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Gosport Borough Council PO12, PO13 counciltax@gosport.gov.uk
Fareham Borough Council PO14, PO16, SO31, SO32 counciltax@fareham.gov.uk
Isle of Wight Council PO30, PO31, PO32, PO33, PO34, PO35, PO36, PO37, PO38, PO39, PO40, PO41 council.tax@iow.gov.uk or complete an on-line form on www.iwight.com under Council Tax - Discounts/Exemptions tab
Bournemouth Borough Council BH1, BH2, BH3, BH4, BH5, BH6, BH7, BH8, BH9, BH10, BH11 council.tax@Bournemouth.gov.uk
Borough of Poole BH11, BH12, BH13, BH14, BH,14, BH16, BH17, BH18, BH21 financialservices@poole.gov.uk

What if I live in an area not covered by these postcodes?

Students are now able to create their own Proof of Enrolment letter via their student record, through the SUSSED Student Portal. You will need to log into your student record and:

• Either go to Sitemap on the right-hand side of the screen, or click on the Student Services tab

• Click Proof of Enrolment Letter

• Complete the address information

• Click on Generate letter

The letter will only be generated once you have enrolled on a full-time programme of study, and will be sent as a PDF document to your University e-mail account.

What if I encounter a problem or I have another Proof of Enrolment Letter question?

Please e-mail counciltax@soton.ac.uk. We promise to respond within 5 working days of receipt.

How Your Situation May Affect Council Tax

I am thinking of moving to Southampton a few weeks before my course starts. Will I have to pay Council Tax?

Yes. You can only be exempt from Council Tax from the start date of your course.

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

 

This will depend upon on your personal circumstances. Please contact the Advice Centre by emailing advice@susu.org or telephoning 023 8059 2085 for further information.

If you withdraw or abandon your programme of study you will have to pay from the date you finished your studies.

 

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

No, providing your placement is an assessed part of your undergraduate programme you are still considered to be a full-time student and exempt from Council Tax charges and you will need to contact the council to tell them you are a full-time student at the University of Southampton as above.

If you are living outside of the Southampton area for your placement, you can request a council tax letter by emailing counciltax@soton.ac.uk.

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

This will depend upon your personal circumstances. You should contact the Advice Centre by emailing advice@susu.org or telephoning 023 8059 2085 for further information.

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.

Additional Questions

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

The property will be treated as if one person is in occupancy and will receive a single person's discount of 25% from the total charge. Legally the liability to pay is on the non-student; however you may wish to discuss this as a household.

It is the responsibility of each student who resides at the property to inform the council that they are a full-time student at the University of Southampton.

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 attract a 25% single person's discount from the total bill. If that one person is in receipt of Income Support/Job Seeker's Allowance (income based), assistance will be given through the Housing Benefit system and the person claiming the Council Tax Benefit should receive the full amount of the bill. The students will be completely ignored.

It is the responsibility of each student who resides at the property to inform the council that they are a full-time student at the University of Southampton.

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

There are no discounts if two or more non full-time students live in a property and the total annual charge is payable. Legally the liability to pay is on the non-students; however you may wish to discuss this as a household.

It is the responsibility of each student who resides at the property to inform the council that they are a full-time student at the University of Southampton.

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.

It is the responsibility of each student who resides at the property to inform the council that they are a full-time student at the University of Southampton.

Useful Downloads

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Additional Contact Details

Southampton University Student Union - Advice Team

Email: advice@susu.org

Telephone: 023 8059 2085

Website: https://www.susu.org/help-and-support/advice-centre/2015/index.html

 

University of Southampton Student Records Team

Email: counciltax@soton.ac.uk

Telephone: 023 8059 9667

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