Council Tax
What is Council Tax?
Council Tax is paid to the local authority in the area where you live. Its pays for local services such as children’s services, waste collection, parks, street cleaning, highways and police. The tax applies to domestic properties or “dwellings” and the amount paid varies based on the value of the property and which ‘property band’ it has been assigned.
I Have Received a Council Tax Bill
If you are a full-time student studying over 21 weeks in a year you can request that the University provide you with a Council Tax Exemption Certificate. You can request a Council Tax exemption certificate via the ‘self-service’ tab on Evision.
If you are having any issues accessing it, please contact: studentenquiries@norwichuni.ac.uk
Once you have obtained your certificate you will need to provide it the local authority responsible for administering Council Tax who will apply an exemption.
If you are not currently an active full-time student, you will not be eligible for an exemption.
You become liable to pay council tax at the point your full-time student status expires. So, if your student status expires before the end of your tenancy agreement you will be expected to pay for the period you are not a student.
If you are unsure about if you do owe anything or dispute an amount owed contact your local authority to discuss your situation as soon as possible. If you speak to the council and are liable to pay but can’t afford to pay you can contact student support or Norfolk Citizens Advice who can help point you in the direction of financial support.
Still have a question?
Email: studentenquiries@norwichuni.ac.uk
Do I Need to Pay Council Tax?
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Full-Time Students
If you are an active full-time student, you are not normally expected to pay Council Tax, but you may need to prove your student status to the local authority for them to confirm this. To be classified as a full-time student your course must involve at least 21 hours of study per week and last for at least a year. It is your responsibility to update the council when you change addresses throughout your time as a full-time student, even where you have confirmed an exemption as it can impact other areas such as voter registration. The University will provide a list of students eligible for exemption living in the Norwich area to Norwich City Council Revenues department at the start of each academic year, you may still however be required to confirm with Norwich City Council that you are a full-time student at Norwich University of the Arts.
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Part-Time Students
If you are a part-time student, it is likely that your course does not meet the 21 hours of study per week threshold to be entitled to a student exemption for Council Tax. You will therefore be liable to pay Council Tax for the property in which you live. You may be able to apply for Council Tax Reduction to reduce the amount you need to pay. You should refer to your Local Authority’s website for advice on how to apply.
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Students on Intermission
If you are on intermission you will normally remain exempt during your period of intermission provided that you are intending to return to full-time study. However, there may be exceptions to this rule and you should make sure that you contact your council and explain your circumstances to them. Your local authority may want you to provide evidence of your status. The letter that confirms your intermission will have details of the start date of your intermission and your expected date of return.
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Graduates
Once your course finishes, you stop being exempt and will become liable to pay council tax after your normal course end date. You become liable for council tax at the point your full-time student status expires. So, if your student status expires before the end of your tenancy agreement you will be expected to pay for the period you are not a student.
Is My Accommodation Exempt from Council Tax?
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Full-Time Students Living in University Halls of Residence
Halls of Residence are classified as an ‘exempt dwelling’ for council tax purposes. As all the people living in halls should be full time students the entire property is considered exempt. So, if you are living in Norwich University of the Arts property such as Duke Street Riverside or Beechcroft, Norwich City Council will know you are exempt from paying council tax. If you are contacted about paying council tax whilst living in university halls, please refer to the ‘I Have Received a Council Tax Bill’ section above.
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Full-Time Students Living in Private Halls of Residence
The owner of the accommodation may be in contact with the council to confirm the full-time student status of all residents with a view to declaring it an ‘exempt dwelling’. However, some landlords will expect you to arrange the exemption yourself. In this case you will need to provide the council with proof of your full-time student status. Please refer to the ‘I Have Received a Council Tax Bill’ section above.
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Full-Time Students Living in Shared Accommodation
Even if all the other people that you are living with are full-time students you will need to prove your full-time student status to the council for them to apply an exemption. The outstanding liability will remain until all members of the household have confirmed their student status. If someone in the household is not a student they will still need to pay council tax, but will receive a 25% discount off their bill if all other members of the household are students.
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Full-Time Students Living in Own Residence
If you live on your own and are a full-time student you will need to contact your local authority to confirm that you are a student. This should be either when you notify them you have moved in or when you receive a bill. A full-time student living on their own would not be expected to pay Council Tax. If you live with a partner that is not a student, they may be entitled to a 25% discount because you are a student.
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Full Time Students Living with Family or Partners
If you live with Family the household is unlikely to be exempt from paying council unless all adult residents are full-time students. However, you may be able to get a 25% discount for the household if you only live with one other adult.