Postgrad not entitled to Council Tax?

rookums

Hi after losing my job, I have started a 3 year PhD and just got a letter from the Council Tax saying that as I am a postgraduate, I am not entitled to Council Tax. Is this correct? It is a full time PhD course.

becky170

Yes, as a full time PhD student you don't have to pay council tax

rookums

Is there anywhere I can get some information on this - I have applied twice in the last 3 months and been knocked back both times. I can't understand it

jennifernil

My daughter is doing a PhD, she does not pay CT. You need a letter from your Uni, or an official form if they do that, which states you are a full time student.

They may give you one with the length of your course on it, or just one for a year at a time. Either way, the council will probably only give you a year at a time, so keep a copy of the letter/form if it covers longer than a year. Council should keep the letter/form in your file, but sometimes they go missing.

jennifernil

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/LifeAtUniversityOrCollege/DG_071488

tanith

Has someone got their wires crossed or is it me... Rookums you don't have to pay Council Tax if you are studying .. you are applying to be exempt from paying.. they can't 'knock you back' if you apply correctly..

jennifernil

I think the OP missed out the word "exemption" in their first post.

rookums

Hi - I had a letter from the Institute that I am with and I applied on the proper form. They kept sending me reminders that I hadn't paid and when I phoned them, they said that I was not entitled to the discount. I then got the institute to telephone them and explain what a postgraduate course was and the institute sent them a second letter. I have just received an official reply today which states that as a postgraduate student, I am not entitled to an exemption.

jennifernil

That is rubbish!

Where are you studying? What course are you doing? What does your Uni say?

Quote the council the link I gave.

You say "institute", is that a university?

MrsManda

'You must also be studying at a ‘prescribed place of education’. This will include established universities and most colleges. Ultimately, though, it’s up to your local council to decide - if there’s any doubt, check with them.'

- from the page quoted by Jennifernil
Rookums this may be the sticking point with your local council. Where is it that you are studying? Also are you living with non-students?

jennifernil

Mmm, yes, are you living alone?

As to the "prescribed place of education"......surely a PhD can only be taken at a "real" University?

DD is studying at the University of Glasgow. She did her first degree there too.