Council tax - student girlfriend moving in.

algsuk

Hi,

Im currently paying my council tax with a 25% single persons discount. My girlfriend has moved in which obviuously i have to let the council know. The thing is she is a full time student, i am understanding that she wouldnt be eligible to have to pay council tax.
what effect would this have on my payments?

I was told by one person in the council tax office that i would get a single persons with a dependant and it wouldnt affect anything.

then told by another i would lose the discount...

What should i believe?! I have a letter from her university saying she is a full time student, so i can prove she is in full time education.

thanks in advance..
algsuk

davetrousers

You'll have to pay the full price.

Phone up the council for clarification and to inform them.

algsuk

Thanks, this is what is confusing me though
this below is from the Havering Council website.

"Eligibility for council tax discount

• If you live alone a single person discount of 25% will apply
• If you live with another adult (not a partner) who is in receipt of a low income a second adult rebate of up to 25% may apply.
• If you own an empty property a 50% discount may apply.
• If the empty property is unfurnished a full exemption may apply

From 1 April 2004 the discount allowed on a property that is no-one's sole or main residence, but is furnished, will receive a ten per cent reduction in council tax.
If you live with adults who fall into one of these categories:
Student, in receipt of child benefit, prisoner, YTS, carer, nursing home or religious community, registered severely mentally impaired, diplomat, a member of an international headquarters or defence organisation, a non-British spouse of a student
These adults will be disregarded and a discount of 25% may apply. "


thanks.

nervousftb_3

davetrousers wrote: »

You'll have to pay the full price.

Phone up the council for clarification and to inform them.

no, this is incorrect.

i am a student, living with my non-student partner. as a student, i do not have to pay any council tax and therefore the council don't take me into account at all. so my partner still gets the 25% discount, as if he was the only one living here. you will need to contact the council, sending in proof of your partner's student status, but your payments should remain exactly the same.

CIS

I work in council tax .

A F/T student who meets the criteria for council tax purposes would be disregarded and you would retain a 25% discount whilst she remains a F/T student. Once she ceases being a qualifying student the discount would end and you would both become jointly liable for any council tax due from that date.

algsuk

Thanks again for the replies,

Does it matter which course she is studying? i did see something about nursing.
But she is studying Social Work (god help her!)

Thanks again

CIS

As long as her social work course is for 21hrs + per week of study/tuition/placement and its for at least 24 weeks of an academic year then she's a F/T student providing she's studying at a prescribed educational establishment (an established uni or college would be fine.)

roger_c

Think the Uni/college's admin office give you a stamped sheet or something can't quite remember, just to prove that you're a student there.

the_kentish_maid

yes get a letter from the uni/college which just says this person g.f name attends the place she will then have to fill in the bottom of it just stating what course she is on this is what ive had to do for my sons the last 2yrs then take it to the council offices job sorted

kelloggs36

You need to get a certificate from the university.

orangeslimes

kelloggs36 wrote: »

You need to get a certificate from the university.

It depends - where I went to uni they passed on the details of students to the council so they could automatically check and know you were entitled to the exemption(unless you ticked some sort of data protection thing so they couldn't)