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.
| 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 |
I asked for my details to be forwarded to my local council. What do I do now - I am a full-time student?
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.
What if I live in an area not covered by these postcodes?
If you are enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you can create your own Proof of Enrolment letter which will be sent as a PDF document to your University e-mail account.
Please e-mail counciltax@soton.ac.uk and we will respond to your query as soon as we can.
Yes. You can only be exempt from Council Tax from the start date of your course.
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.
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 studenthub@soton.ac.uk
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.