Council tax student rules

Dexter69

In april i was sent my council tax bill which had gone up by seventy pounds  a month and was charged 300 pounds for last year. Cut the story short they first said that because my son turned 18 and now was classed as a non depandant, I told them he was a student and i still got universal credit  and child benefit for him. I still get chid benefit up to december this year and universal credit child element until August.  I have been told becuase two other adults live in the property that he doesnt get excemption for being a student. They now want proof of income asking for wage proof if working or benefit letters proof. He has not worked or benefits and is carryingon being a college student in september, so at the moment they are trying to charge me the top rate for non dependant deduction. Is this correct?

dawnybabes

My council have done this - they say they arent student between July and the Sept so have to pay full CT 

Voyager2002

Dexter69 said:

In april i was sent my council tax bill which had gone up by seventy pounds  a month and was charged 300 pounds for last year. Cut the story short they first said that because my son turned 18 and now was classed as a non depandant, I told them he was a student and i still got universal credit  and child benefit for him. I still get chid benefit up to december this year and universal credit child element until August.  I have been told becuase two other adults live in the property that he doesnt get excemption for being a student. They now want proof of income asking for wage proof if working or benefit letters proof. He has not worked or benefits and is carryingon being a college student in september, so at the moment they are trying to charge me the top rate for non dependant deduction. Is this correct?

If two other adults live in the household, then it makes no difference if he is a student: you would still not get the single person discount.

Dexter69

Hi thanks for  your comments, i am aware im not entitled to the single person discount. It's the fact they are not classing him as a student (no discount no exemption). He was last year and up to June and will be again september.He hasnt worked durning the holidays. They are basically punishing him for trying to get an education and 700 pound deduction seems unfair. They blame the young for not wanting to work or train and yet they make these unjust rules.

Spoonie_Turtle

Who are the other two adults (what relationship to you)?  What discount/exemption were the council applying before for the bill to be reduced?

dawnybabes

Dexter69 said:

Hi thanks for  your comments, i am aware im not entitled to the single person discount. It's the fact they are not classing him as a student (no discount no exemption). He was last year and up to June and will be again september.He hasnt worked durning the holidays. They are basically punishing him for trying to get an education and 700 pound deduction seems unfair. They blame the young for not wanting to work or train and yet they make these unjust rules.

Your bill should be the same with or without him as you have 2 adults in the house already (I loose my single person discount over the summer ) 

silvercar

" I have been told becuase two other adults live in the property that he doesnt get excemption for being a student. "

With 2 other adults, it makes no difference if he is a third adult or a student.

Generally, if the student is on a course, he is considered to be a student in the Summer vacation ie if its a 3 year course, he will be a student during the Summer between year1 and year 2 and again between year 2 and year 3.

sheramber

1adult in the house gets single person discount.

1 adult and one student getssingle adult discount.

2 adults in the house , no single discount.

2 adults and one student, no  single person discount. 

What was the discount called that you got last year if there were 2 adults and  a student in the house?

ChickenLicken12

The monthly increase starting in April is standard per all councils.
Council tax can be paid across 10 or 12 months. 
Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax.
They need to fill out a local council exemption form with proof from the education establishment that they are enrolled on a full-time course which also cites the start and end dates of the course. They also need to attend the course!
If the household is one student + one non-student adult,  the NSA will get single person's discount and the student doesn't have to pay anything as is exempt (if has shown proof to council).
If the household includes two or more non-student adults, regardless of whether there are students living there,  then it will be the full council tax amount charged to the household. However, the students do not have to pay anything towards those costs as they are exempt (if they have shown proof to the council)

Student exemption from paying council tax is not automatic and students do have to prove they are enrolled on full-time courses with official documents. 

All explained here:
How Council Tax works: Discounts for full-time students - GOV.UK
How Council Tax works: Who has to pay - GOV.UK