Council tax situation now that I'm no longer a student?

greyskittles

So today I finally left uni! Or rather, I suspended my course. I did well last semester, so they said I could start again in January 08 (and not have to repeat first semester again) if I wish to. But also, the fact that I still have my place is a relief, as I may be able to get onto another course this coming September (if I decide on something, though I certainly won't be rushing into anything!).

The lady also said that now I no longer have 'student status' and so I may be eligable to pay council tax. What does she mean? I live at home with the parental unit, but... She told me some horror story about a guy who got caught not paying it on his gap year. I didn't really understand what she meant though

Hmm!

Anyway, I feel liberated. My dad doesn't know I've left yet though... He's away for 3-months, so I have plenty of time to contrive a speech :rotfl:

kittiwoz

If you live with your parents it is probably irrelevant. Technically you are liable for council tax but council tax is basically calculated on the value of the house irrespective of the number of people in it (though there is a single person discount of 25%) so the amount of council tax payable on your house won't increase. Since you are no-longer a discounted person you will be jointly liable with your parents for the bill which they were previously liable for between them. However although your parents could ask you to pay 1/3 of the council tax on the house and pay the other 2/3 rds themself I don't suppose that they will.

greyskittles

^Excellent, thanks for clearing that up. My mum said that in Margaret Thatcher's day I would have been responsible for my own... But nowadays it's different. Which kind of fits in with what you've explained I really don't understand what the lady at uni meant!

& no doubt my father will take this as an opportunity to get money out of me, so I won't even bother mentioning it in front of him! x

Bossyboots

At a guess, I would say the lady at uni was talking about a student living in rented accommodation and claiming the student exemption during his gap year.

Oldernotwiser

Unless, of course, your mother has been getting the 25% discount whilst your father's away; with your no longer being a student, if you're back at home she'll have to pay the full Council Tax.

kelloggs36

Yes this is so mean. My hubby works full time and I am a mature student and so qualify for the 25% discount but only if my 18 year old daughter finishes her A levels and then promptly leaves home to live in her own student accommodation! Whilst here, if she works, I lose my discount even though I'm a student.

kittiwoz

greyskittles wrote:

My mum said that in Margaret Thatcher's day I would have been responsible for my own... But nowadays it's different.

You are still responsible for your own legally. I just don't suppose your parents will actually get you to pay it since the total bill won't increase (unless as Oldernotwiser says your mum gets the 25% single person discount).

kelloggs36 wrote:

Yes this is so mean. My hubby works full time and I am a mature student and so qualify for the 25% discount but only if my 18 year old daughter finishes her A levels and then promptly leaves home to live in her own student accommodation! Whilst here, if she works, I lose my discount even though I'm a student.

It's not you that gets the 25% discount, it is your husband. Technically he is currently liable for 75% of the council tax calculated on the house but if your daughter lives there and is not in full time education then he is no longer the single person counted for council tax purposes and he is liable for 50% of the council tax and your daughter is liable for 50%. I realise you probably treat such things as household bills and you would probably pay your daughter's share on her behalf so the distinction is academic but I think it is best to be explicit about it because council tax is an issue that seems to cause a great deal of confusion.

kelloggs36

I realise this, but if she isn't working or claiming, no discount applies

Ebany

Its not that you are no longer elegible for a discount, but as there is no difference between the amount 2 people pay and the amount 3 people pay it is irrelevant. You still don't count as far as the council are concerned, it just doesn't make any difference.

HOWMUCH

When people paid by person it was called Poll Tax and everyone over the age of 18 had to pay unless a Student. Now we pay Council Tax on the property so if a property only has one person over 18 years old (who is not a student) they qualify for 25% discount, if you have 2 or more people over the age of 18 (who are not students) full Council tax is paid on the property. If you have 2 people living in the property 1 non student and 1 student then the 25% discount applies.

Diminutive

In the situation of an 18 Year old who leaves college after finishing their A levels, there is actually a grace period in which they are classified as a "school leaver". This is usually to compensate for the quite possibly 4 month period between finishing your A levels and starting university (if you have quite early exams and don't start university till late September).

school or college leavers still aged under 20 who have left school or college after 30 April. They will be disregarded until 1 November of the same year whether or not they take up employment

Useful to know that you don't have to kick 'em out till the 1st of November if it would affect the discount