Discounts and exemptions

Students

Discounts apply to full time students only. Full time study means a minimum of 21 hours per week and 24 weeks per year.

The following types of study may qualify you as a student:

• Open University students
• post Graduate students (12 months masters degree)
• a foreign student undertaking a full time course at a UK University but living and studying abroad in a Member State of the EU.

You will need to provide your student certificate.

Examples of the discount you may receive

• if a household consists of two residents and one is a student, a 25% reduction is available
• if a household consists of three residents and one is a student, there is no discount
• if all residents at a property are full time students

School leavers

People under 20 who leave school or who finish a course at a further education college after 30 April in any year are disregarded for discount purposes until the next 1 November.

For the purpose of this disregard, the terms ‘full time course of education’ and ‘qualifying course of education’ have the meanings set out in part II of schedule 1 to the discount disregards order 2. In effect, the disregard provides adequate time for those who are going into further education to have qualified for student status without there being any effect on council tax at their home. The provision is of special importance to single parents who would otherwise lose discount when their child reaches the age of 18.

Apprentices and youth trainees

To apply, you must be working towards an accredited qualification and paid less than £195 a week.