Student being made to pay council tax- advice please!

pandaptch

I am watching this thread with interest as we are engaged in exactly the same battle with Bath Council, who keep ignoring all the references to Council Orders etc and just keep repeating that our daughter is a part time student

Money_saving_Martyn

This isn't a helpful post, and I apologies in advance because I hate it when people would rather moan at you rather than help but if Mike is studying part-time this year - he isn't studying full time.... so he isn't a full time student. Consequently he should get a job and pay his taxes. I'm not sure if he could get benefits just for people a part time student..... because he could work.

If, however, he is repeating modules due to a (learning) disability of some sort which means that taking half the modules takes him a "full" amount of time - there might be a little more basis for arguement. Also, if he can't work due to such a disalbility there might be more options open to you.

If he just wants to be a part time student, part time lay-about the options are limited.
(I say this with the up most respect, as a student in a similar situation), especially if the university insist he isn't studying full-time.

I sincerely do hope things work out for you - but these rules are in place for a reason.... somebody's got to pay tax somewhere!

If your uni has a support and guidance department - bug them politely.

Take care and good luck!!!

Fire_Fox

I just don't think the benefits system is set up for every eventuality - single people without kids can fall through the cracks, as do non-students living in a house of students, or students who have just finished a course but still have a part-time job.

If I need to repeat next year I am going to be in a difficult position - can't claim JSA as have a part-time job and won't be free for a full-time one. Can't claim Income Support as earn over the threshold: can't get Council Tax Benefit as won't be getting IS. Can't get Working Tax Credits as don't work enough hours. :mad:

I know all this cos I looked at it a couple of years ago when my hours were cut. I genuinely cannot survive on the amount the government says I can (£60 a week) as my essential commitments would include a service charge for my flat which is £125 a month, and council tax of £52 a month (inc. 25% discount)! That would leave me with £85 a month for electricity, water, food, TV license, public transport, prescription, basic hygeine etc. :eek:

Hope this doesn't come over as just a moan - I don't think life on benefits should be too comfortable, and I don't think someone repeating a couple of modules should be able to not bother working. But the council tax system is pretty all or nothing - if you get a penny of income support you pay nothing, if you live alone or with all students you can be charged a small fortune.

CIS

The professional opinion of the IIRV (professional institute for council tax practitioners) is that he is still a F/T student . They say this (which is also agrees with my opinion of it);

The individual has not completed, abandoned or been prevented from attending the course, therefore they remain enrolled and should continue to be treated as on a full time course for council tax purposes.

Although not a legally binding opinion, its about as authorative as you can get . If the council have access to IRRV technical queries site, refer them to TQ2806

Ms-Money-Penny

Any education less than 16 hours is considered part time.

CIS

Any education less than 16 hours is considered part time.

Not for council tax purposes - its 21 hrs per week for a F/T student however even this can be varied slightly as in the case of the OP.

rowrow

Hi, I'm currently going through the exact same thing as katy1987 has described with portsmouth city council. I am currently repeating 30credts of my full time course. However, for this year only considered as part time. I have tried to claim for council tax benefits as I am unemployed and have no income, but was rejected as according to them I am enrolled on a full time course and considered to be a full time student. However, council tax are telling me I have to pay as I am a part time student. I'm un sure as to what I am supposed to do, as I don't have the money to pay and I am unable to receive any finicial assistance. If katy is ready this, how did u resolve this issue? I hope someone can help. Thanks

amiehall

rowrow wrote: »

Hi, I'm currently going through the exact same thing as katy1987 has described with portsmouth city council. I am currently repeating 30credts of my full time course. However, for this year only considered as part time. I have tried to claim for council tax benefits as I am unemployed and have no income, but was rejected as according to them I am enrolled on a full time course and considered to be a full time student. However, council tax are telling me I have to pay as I am a part time student. I'm un sure as to what I am supposed to do, as I don't have the money to pay and I am unable to receive any finicial assistance. If katy is ready this, how did u resolve this issue? I hope someone can help. Thanks

Have you requested a council tax exemption certificate from your university? What did they say?