Summer Council Tax Help!

jessicamort

I have just completed my first year at London College of fashion which is part of Univeristy of the Arts London.

However, i have re-applied to a different college in the same university to restart my studies in year one again.

I have got a UCAS offer and will start in September.

What i am confused about is whether i will have to pay council tax over the summer, even though i am still enrolled at Univeristy of the Arts London, and am only transferring and not changing to a different university?

Doesnt this mean im still a student over the summer?

any help would be greatly appreciated!

thanks

Lokolo

Can't answer your question however, what did you study?

My gf is going to St. Martins to do Art Foundation. She wants to stay in halls, she doesn't get a student loan so her savings are all going to be gone in 1 year! (its like £5k for a year for accom!!!!!!)

k284

jessicamort - I am in a similar position. I have just graduated but will be starting again on another course this September. Just recieved the council tax bill from my council identifying the fact that my student exemption has run out.

As I'm not enrolled yet onto the new course until Sept. I was going to goto the council and show them my UCAS letter and explain that I will continue to be a student after the summ and as I won't be "properly" employed over the summer could they hold off charging me for the summer.

I haven't had the chance to go and do this yet, but it seems like the only real option.

CIS

I have got a UCAS offer and will start in September.

What i am confused about is whether i will have to pay council tax over the summer, even though i am still enrolled at Univeristy of the Arts London, and am only transferring and not changing to a different university?

Doesnt this mean im still a student over the summer?

You will only be a student as long as your registered as such with a University - you will be liable for Council Tax during any gaps where you are not registered with a university as F/T student.

As I'm not enrolled yet onto the new course until Sept. I was going to go to the council and show them my UCAS letter and explain that I will continue to be a student after the summ and as I won't be "properly" employed over the summer could they hold off charging me for the summer.

I haven't had the chance to go and do this yet, but it seems like the only real option.

Its not an option - once your course ends you are no longer a student until such point as you start another course. You may be eligible for Council Tax Benefit in between courses.

[Deleted User]

are liable from when their studies finish, even if they will be going on to further study. It is possible that the OP will be liable. You need to be classified as 'undertaking a full-time course of education' to get exemption. Paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 [FONT=&quot]the Council Tax (Discount Disregards) Order 1992 [/FONT] (as amended by the subsequent Order of 1996) states that a person is to be regarded as undertaking a full-time course of education on a particular day if:
(a) on that day he is enrolled for the purpose of attending such a course with [a university] and (b) the day falls within the period beginning with the day on which he begins the course and ending with the day on which he ceases to undertake it, and a person is to be regarded as ceasing to undertake a course of education for the purpose of this paragraph if he has completed it, abandoned it or is no longer permitted by the educational establishment to attend it.

It is possible that you will have been classified as having 'abandoned' your course, thus you are not a full time student and don't get the student exemption.

Of course, anyone without exemption can apply for Council Tax Benefit if they cannot afford to pay. Also, if you are in accommodation owned by the educational establishment (halls) you wont pay because it is an exempt dwelling.

cashpoortimerich

I think the situation seems to be different from council to council. In Glagow my OH finished an HND at college and then went in to the third year of a university degree course and was exempt from council tax for the summer in between. Similarly, I went from completing an undergraduate degree to starting a postgraduate degree and was also exempt for the summer in between. In both cases we were seen as continuing students, it looks like a matter of interpretation at the council office. Just remember to get whatever you are told at the office in writing on headed notepaper, signed and with a legible name beside it. It works wonders.

tigercallie

Hi, im in the same boat too except after I finish my course here i'm starting more studies abroad at a foreign uni. The flat i live in is rented until september, so im imagining i'll be expected to pay council tax from may to september, although i wont even be there because as soon as ive finished at uni i'll be moving home until i go abroad. Also i live with 3 others, 2 of us will graduate and 2 of us wont, its a really big old flat in glasgow and im worried it'll have a massive council tax bill which i really dont think only two of us could foot! Anyone have any suggestions? thanks

CIS

If this flat ceases to be your 'sole or main residence' then , although you still hold a tenancy, the Council Tax liability from May would fall on any joint tenants who still occupy the property.