Post-grad council tax

markmark2

Hi, My son is starting his Masters next month. He will not get any finance from anywhere and has used his savings to pay for the course.
I own the house where we live and unfortunately am unemployed.

I have been paying almost 50% of the total council tax bill for us whist he is waiting to start his course.
From what I understand, he will not qualify for any council tax reduction, nor receive any benefits of any kind.
Is this correct?

I don't think I can carry on supporting the two of us on £72 per week and paying £12.50 a week council tax. I do hope that there is a solution!
Many thanks,
Mark

Mojisola

Why isn't he getting a student discount?
https://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/money-and-funding/council-tax/

Most Masters students do part-time work to help towards their living costs.

CIS

How many people are resident in the house ? - if it's just you and him then you're entitled to a 25% discount once he starts the course.

markmark2

He is looking for work to do whilst he is studying.
However, the actual attendance time at uni is less than 21 hours per week, so doesn't qualify (even though he will be studying at home).

Mark

markmark2

Hi CIS, 25% discount of what?

Mark

Mojisola

markmark2 wrote: »

However, the actual attendance time at uni is less than 21 hours per week, so doesn't qualify (even though he will be studying at home).

It's the hours of study required that gets a student the discount, not the hours spent at uni.

markmark2

It does say in the handbook that arrived today from the uni, that to qualify for a council tax exemption certificate, that there must be more than 21 hours of study per week. The question is, how do you prove how many hours study are taking place if for the bulk of the time you are at home?

It is still my understanding that, because I am in the house and not a student, then he will not qualify for a discount?

mark

Masomnia

Mojisola wrote: »

It's the hours of study required that gets a student the discount, not the hours spent at uni.

This. Check what the study hours required are (whether he does them or not ), if he's considered a full time student, then you might be elligible for a 25% discount from your council tax bill if it's just you paying the bill.

The past 3 months I haven't had anything timetabled, not been in uni for lectures etc. as I've been (supposedly) doing my dissertation I'm still considered a full time student. So the amount of time you actually have in uni as contact time with lecturers isn't what's counted.

Unfortunately he won't be entitled to benefits, usually.

Masomnia

Your son should know if he's doing the course part time or full time. If full time and it's just you and him then you'll get the 25% discount.

markmark2

Masomnia,
I have read that it all depends which local authority you are with whether you get council tax reduction or not whilst doing your dissertation. Just wrong!

Mark

markmark2

It is the 25% discount I am not following.

My full council tax should be £1531.
Whilst it was just me at home (while he was at uni), I paid £286.
Now he is home, I pay £643.

I am not sure how these things are calculated, but I can't see anything remotely resembling 25% anywhere there.

Mark