Student Discount

If you are a full time student, apprentice or youth training trainee you may also be entitled to a reduction on your council tax.

Students

To be eligible for a reduction you must be taking a full-time course of education and enrolled with a prescribed educational establishment.

A full time course lasts for at least one academic or calendar year, with attendance at least 24 weeks in each year, and study of at least 21 hours per week on average. The course must comprise study, tuition and work experience or a combination of these activities.

Prescribed educational establishments are universities, colleges and other institutions that provide further or higher education. You would normally be required to attend the course at the establishment’s premises.

Where the educational establishment is situated in a Member State of the European Union and was set up mainly to provide further or higher education, you may also apply for a reduction to your council tax. You must supply a letter from the school, college or university giving full details of the course so that a decision can be made about your eligibility.    

A property will be exempt if you are the only person living in the property and are a full time student. If there are only two people residing and one is a full time student, the non-student will be liable for council tax with a single person’s discount of 25%. If two or more people live at the property and only one is a full time student, the non-students will be liable for council tax.

If you want to claim a student discount or exemption you will need to provide a student certificate as proof. This document can be obtained from the registrar of the college, university or other educational institution that you attend. A certificate must be provided for each student residing. Please send a clear copy of the certificate to:

Head of Revenues and Customer Relations
PO Box 34750
London
N7 9WF

Please quote:

• the customer/account reference number shown on your council tax bill
• your full name
• the address that the reduction applies to
• your personal contact details

Alternatively, you may visit the Contact Islington reception with the required documents. Click on the link for Contact us at the top of the page for details.

Student Nurses (Project 2000 only)

You will be treated as a full time student if you are a student nurse or are training to become a midwife or health visitor.

To claim this exemption/discount you will need to send a copy of a student certificate as detailed above under Students.

Youth Trainees

If you are a youth training trainee you can apply for a council tax reduction. The employer must complete the declaration.

• Click on the link for Housing and Council Tax Forms under Do It Online on the right
• Then select Council Tax Discount and Exemption Form from the list of forms

For information about what to do if your circumstances change, see the link on the right under Related Information.