Council tax before graduation

Usethe4ce

Hi

On a related note to a previous post, I was recently informed by an estate agent that once my undergraduate course finishes after Exams in May 2007, I will be liable to pay council tax for June and July - the last two months of my 11 month Short Term Tennancy agreement (in Scotland).

This is despite the fact that I feel I am technically still a student, at least until I actually receive my degree at graduation. Even then, it seems quite unfair if I am just letting the last month of my tennancy run out, to be charged what I was told would be £120 per month! How on earth can or indeed should I afford this as a student in 2008?

I think its an outrage, but wanted to check what the law says on this in terms of when one officially stops being "a student" and what the rules are surrounding this issue, if anyone knows.

This surely may well simply push some people towards signing on if it is the only way to avoid this rediculous system, thus actually taking more money from the government in benefit?

Regards,
Disgruntled student

kittiwoz

When I graduated I was charged council tax for June, July and August (I went on to postgrad study). This is because my council tax exemption certificate had an end date of June. However the woman I spoke to on the phone was more concerned whether I was actually living there than whether I was on the tenancy and paying the rent. I found this out too late but I think what this means is that if you move back to your parents after your exams you don't have to pay council tax on your rented accomodation. Seems crazy but I believe it is true.

If you will be the only person in your house liable for council tax during that period you should be able to get a 25% single person's discount. I think you should probably be eligible for council tax benefit too. I was told I wasn't eligible because I wasn't claiming housing benefit or JSA but I think that was a lie and you actually can claim it on the grounds of low income. You probably actually could claim JSA and possibly housing benefit for those months though if your don't get a job since you won't be a student anymore.

Bossyboots

My son was renting with his girlfriend when she finished her final year but he was doing one more. She had to pay the council tax from 30th June. She specifically queried this with the uni and they confirmed that the end of the academic year was June and anyone who had completed their finals in that year were no longer entitled to the student exemption.

You will already have your degree before graduation. Graduation day is simply a day set by your uni for a ceremony. Many people will be out in full time work by then. Would you expect them to be able to claim the student exemption because of a date plucked out of the diary for the convenience of the university? (The words of the uni in question).

CIS

I found this out too late but I think what this means is that if you move back to your parents after your exams you don't have to pay council tax on your rented accommodation. Seems crazy but I believe it is true.

If your name is on the tenancy , the landlord can hold you liable until the end of the tenancy(or he gets new tenants,whichever is sooner).
This applies even if you move out, so you could end up with and empty and unfurnished exemption, or a furnished discount, if the property is furnished.

The student exemption lasts no longer than the date on which the university certify you as a full time student and no longer.

CIS

duplicate post

Usethe4ce

Many thanks people who have posted. Sounds like the end of course date is the date when I will be expected to start paying council tax. As I said before, I feel this is rediculous.

I may have a degree and no-longer be a full-time student, simply awaiting that date set by the university for the ceremony. However, this doesn't deter from the fact that many people will not have a full-time job in this period or may partake in temporary casual work. This leaves them facing what I believe to be highly unfair and discriminatory taxes, given their clearly disadvantaged financial situations in comparison to those whose career choice or situation allows them to jump straight into a salaried job.

I shall take this up with my local MP to see what can be done. From what I can see, this law does not take into consideration the financial circumstances of those students who choose for whatever reason to not take up a salaried job straight after the end of their studies.

I imagine that if this is the way the law is I shall have to register as either having a low-income (if I get casual temporary work) or as being unemployed in order to avoid this discriminatory tax system???

Does anyone know about the options here?

Usethe4ce

duplicate post

DavidHM

But the law does take their financial circumstances into consideration, by giving eligibility for Council Tax Benefit due to their low incomes. So you can't have it both ways!

Ebany

As you said, you either register as being on a low income/unemployed, or pay up - just the same as everyone else has to. Just becuase you happen to have just finished your exams is no reason for you not to pay. To be getting the student exemption you must at some point have obtained a suitable note from your university stating that you are a student, which will give your official end date - from this point you are no longer a student and are just as liable to pay as anyone else - and just as able to get a job, or claim CT benefit if you find this difficult.

Surely by not making ex-students pay it would be discriminatory to those who don't go to university?

Usethe4ce

Cheers David. I shall have to look into which Council Tax Benefit might apply.

Ebany, I take what you say into account and wasn't at all hoping to become exempt from paying council tax for the rest of my life just because I happen to have gone to university. My initial concern was over the fact that unless I sign up to receive Council Tax Benefit, it is automatically assumed that I will pay the full council tax fee, though I guess that this is merely a safeguard for ensuring optimum tax revenue.

As you say, after my course I will then be just as able to get a job, which I am looking to do.

To the extent that financial circumstances are taken into consideration and benefits offered to ensure income based payment (which I gather is the case from the responses posted here) then upon reflection this does seem a fair system.

Thanks to all for the posts. It has been most informative.