Council Tax
What is Council tax?
Council tax is a charge made by local authorities for each property within the area and is used to pay for local services like rubbish collection.
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It is your responsibility to inform the Council Tax Office if you are a full-time student.
The council will not automatically know you are a student and failure to inform them may result in a demand for council tax being sent to the property.
You should inform them as soon as you move in to the property.
How do I claim exemption from council tax?
You can go to the Edinburgh council website and request exemption via their online form.
It is also worth going to the University academic registry webpage and requesting a council tax exemption certificate which you can take to the council.
I am a part time student; do I have to pay council tax?
If you are registered as full time attending on a part time basis, you will not.
If you are registered as part time, you may struggle to convince the council that you should be exempt. This is because you generally have to satisfy the rule that you are studying for 21 hours or more for 24 or more weeks. You may be entitled to claim Council Tax benefit to help you with this.
I live with a non-student and she is demanding that I help her pay council tax. Do I have to do this?
No. As a student you are not liable for the council tax. Your flatmate should have received a 25% discount as she is the only person in the household liable for council tax. You are not obliged to contribute towards the council tax.
I have been sent a bill for council tax even though I told the council I am a full time student.
You need to contact the council to resolve this, do not ignore the letter. You can go to the University Academic Registry webpage and request a council tax exemption certificate which you can take to the council.
You can call them on-
Revenues and Benefits enquiries
Tel: 0131 469 5000
Contact the Advice Place
Council tax can be complicated, if you have any other queries please contact us for help.
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