Student Exempt from council Tax

bumblbee13

I have been living with my partner since May last year, I started my second year of university In September last year but I didn't realise that we were eligible for a reduction in council tax payments because I am a student. I went to give the exemption form to the council at their offices this morning and asked if I would be able to get a back payment for the last 8 months, which obviously is quite a lot of money as we have been paying £105.00 a month since then. The lady advised me that they may or may not be able to backdate it, but not many applications for back payment make it through so I shouldn't hold my breath. I was just wondering if anyone knows a way in which I should be able to get that money back, I know its my fault for not realising I was exempt, but it seems unfair that I may not be able to get that money back.

Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks

agrinnall

If you have proof that you were a full time student for the previous 8 months then I don't see why the discount shouldn't be applied retrospectively, and having raised it with the council you've already taken the correct first step. If you don't get any joy with them and you don't get any other suggestions on here I would recommend that you post on the Cutting Tax board instead where experts in Council Tax issues such as CIS are more likely to see it.

CIS

There's nothing in legislation preventing the backdating of discounts & exemptions, the council should awarded the reduction where you can demonstrate you did qualify.

If the council won't play ball the only way forward would be a valuation tribunal.