Council tax when I was a student issue

Viberduo · 23 February 2015 at 4:27PM

I was a student back in 2008 at a university, during the summer of 2009 I lived closer to parents as couldnt stay in my accomodation over summer, for this period of about 3 and a half months I am having issues with council tax.

In my 2nd year I decided about 2 weeks in I did not enjoy the course so transferred to another uni and different course, my research tells me that as long as you start your 2nd year you are covered for the summer period but if you leave during summer you are not and would be liable for council tax.

I have been bothered by debt collectors for the period who are friendly but say just contact the council, council says that my course didnt start to October therefore in summer I was not a student and I explained I was a student but changed course and uni in 2nd year(after enrolling for 2nd year at original uni)

Its only about £70 but it mounts up.

sourcrates · 23 February 2015 at 4:34PM

Hi,
You need to contact the council and speak to someone in recoveries about this, can you provide anything in the way of proof at all ?

Council tax issues can come back to haunt you in the future, if you dont settle this now, one way or another, it may come back and the amount owing may of trebled, you also risk enforcement action by bailiffs, basically a whole world of hurt.

Ring them and sort it out ASAP.

CIS · 23 February 2015 at 4:40PM

In my 2nd year I decided about 2 weeks in I did not enjoy the course so transferred to another uni and different course, my research tells me that as long as you start your 2nd year you are covered for the summer period but if you leave during summer you are not and would be liable for council tax.

Your research is incorrect. You are only a full time student whilst actually registered on a qualifying course of education (or your fall under school/college leaver disregard).

CIS · 23 February 2015 at 4:40PM

I have been bothered by debt collectors for the period who are friendly but say just contact the council

Unlikely to be debt collectors, more likely to be enforcement agents (formerly known as bailiffs).

Viberduo · 23 February 2015 at 4:49PM

CIS wrote: »

Your research is incorrect. You are only a full time student whilst actually registered on a qualifying course of education (or your fall under school/college leaver disregard).

No I was still registered on the course till October at which point I left, so I was still classed as a full time student in the period where they say I owe council tax.

CIS · 23 February 2015 at 5:03PM

No I was still registered on the course till October at which point I left, so I was still classed as a full time student in the period where they say I owe council tax.

Misread what you posted - if you were registered as a full time student on a qualifying course after the holidays that was a continuation of the course started before then you are covered until you case being a student on that course.

Have you provided proof to the council tax you remained registered for this period.

Viberduo · 23 February 2015 at 8:28PM

Yes I did, what I think has happened is due to the transfer they have gotten confused.

I did try explaining to person on the phone but they just said I started a course in October of that year therefore thats when exemption began and I wasnt a student before.

I have managed to get a PDF file from the uni emailed to me with dates I was there course started and ended etc.

As a matter of interest what happens if say I am on a 1 year course such as in college, I always assumed I would be covered over the summer since we used to get told that since the student loan or bursary covered the summer months you couldnt claim benefits as you were still a student unless thats changed in last 10 years or so.

CIS · 23 February 2015 at 8:56PM

As a matter of interest what happens if say I am on a 1 year course such as in college, I always assumed I would be covered over the summer since we used to get told that since the student loan or bursary covered the summer months you couldnt claim benefits as you were still a student unless thats changed in last 10 years or so.

Benefits and council tax have different definitions of a student - for council tax purposes, provided you're on a qualifying course of education then any holidays falling within this period are covered by your course dates.

Viberduo · 23 February 2015 at 10:28PM

What part of the issue seems to be is because I left so early in 2nd year they say I did not continue therefore entitlement ran out in June(yet they are charging me from 1st June and year didnt finish until end of June)

In that way what is the allowed thing, I did want to leave before I started 2nd year but was not sure about things like funding and accomodation so waited to I started my 2nd year.

I also remember checking at the time about council tax and such and was told if I stayed on then left I wouldnt be charged CT, only if I withdrew during summer then changed or just didnt go back, no idea if that was right either.

KirstyO · 24 February 2015 at 9:07AM

It sounds like you just need the proof of your actual leaving date from 1st uni and proof of your actual start date for 2nd uni.

If your dates are correct then 1st uni have to show you as enrolled for 2nd year (ie you had registered for 2nd year modules - but check whether they class 'registering' as signing up for, or whether you have to turn up to be considered a continuing student)

Council tax when I was a student issue

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