Council tax exemption

Full-time students are eligible for Council Tax exemptions or discounts. The amount you pay will depend on your living arrangements.

We advise checking your eligibility on the gov.uk website.

Your eligibility for Council Tax discount will be determined by your student status, course duration and number of study hours per week. Degree Apprentices are not eligible for council tax exemption. To find out more, visit Leeds City Council: Council Tax.

If you're struggling to pay your Council Tax bill, contact Student Advice in Leeds University Union. It's important that you don't ignore a Council Tax letter as there may be legal implications.

Taught students

Term-time address in Leeds

We send a list of full-time, registered students to Leeds City Council at the end of October and February each year. The council should be able to find your name and address on the database sent to them by the University of Leeds, providing that you have:

If you're not sure which address you have registered with the university, you can check this by logging into Minerva and clicking the ‘Access Student Services” icon in the toolbar in the top right. Once logged in to Student Services, select 'Personal information'. It is your responsibility to keep your addresses up to date via Minerva.

The council may contact you before we send your details to them asking for Council Tax payment. If you're asked to pay, tell the council that the University is sending a list of full-time, registered students - they should be aware that this is our procedure.

If the council contacts you about Council Tax payment, ensure that you notify them that you are registered as a full-time student and ask them to check for your details on the database that we have sent. If they are unable to find your details on the database, you'll need to request a Council Tax Exemption Certificate. You may apply for a Registration Status Certificate for Council Tax exemption purposes, which you can send to the council.

Term-time address outside Leeds

Please ensure that you notify the council that you are registered as a full-time student. You may apply for a Registration Status Certificate for Council Tax exemption purposes, which you can send to the council.

Single person discount for parents/carers of full-time students

If your parent/carer requires proof of your full-time student status for Council Tax discount you will need to apply for a Registration Status Certificate for Council Tax exemption purposes, which you can send to the council.

Postgraduate researchers

Leeds postcode areas

If you're a registered, full-time, postgraduate researcher, and you enter your term-time address when you register, your details will be included on one of lists sent to Leeds City Council at the end of:

  • October 
  • January 
  • April 
  • July.

You should complete a Council Tax Form (PDF) available from Leeds City Council, which they will cross reference against our supplied data.

Outside Leeds

If you live outside Leeds you will need to check your eligibility. You may apply for a Registration Status Certificate for Council Tax exemption purposes, which you can send to the local council.

After thesis submission and vivas

Once you've submitted your thesis for examination you will no longer be eligible for Council Tax exemption. If the outcome following your viva is a referral you will not be eligible for Council Tax exemption. Your registration during the referral period and your valid student card are solely for the purpose of using the library and IT facilities to allow you to revise your thesis. You're not classed as a full-time, part-time or over-time student during this period.

Overtime period

Postgraduate researchers in their overtime period should be eligible for Council Tax exemption provided they are registered on a full-time programme of study. Further advice is available from Student Advice in Leeds University Union.

Part-time postgraduate researchers

If you're a part-time postgraduate researcher, you do not qualify for Council Tax exemption.

International students

You will only qualify for a student exemption or be regarded as a student if you meet the Council Tax definition of "student". Having a Student visa is not necessarily sufficient to meet this definition. To read the Council Tax definition of "student", visit the UKCISA website.

Your eligibility for Council Tax discount will be determined by your student status, course duration and number of study hours per week. To find out more, visit Leeds City Council: Council Tax.

Changes in circumstances

It is your responsibility to inform the council if your circumstances change and you’re no longer a full-time student or your living arrangements change. There could be legal implications if you fail to notify the council of any changes.

Full time students are exempt from Council Tax, even if you are on a period of temporary leave, as long as you are coming back. If you leave permanently before your course ends, and you are no longer a student, then you will no longer be eligible for Council Tax discount. If you are leaving to transfer to another institution, you will need to reapply again with your new details.

If you wish to discuss your individual situation, please contact Student Advice in Leeds University Union.
 

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