Council Tax discounts for students and apprentices

You do not have to pay Council Tax if everyone living in the property is a full-time student or apprentice. If you get a bill, you can apply for an exemption.

If someone in your household is not a full-time student or apprentice, you’ll need to pay Council Tax. You may still be able to get a 25% discount.

Full-time students

If you’re aged 20 or over, your course must:

• last for at least 24 weeks in each academic year
• involve at least 21 hours of study, tuition or work experience a week

If you’re under 20, your course must:

• be a qualifying course, such as A levels or a Level 3 NVQ
• last at least 3 months
• involve at least 12 hours of study a week

Full-time students also include:

• student nurses
• foreign language assistants
• spouses of students from overseas who are not allowed to work or claim benefits

Apprentices

You must:

• be employed to learn a trade, business, profession or vocation
• be undertaking training leading to a qualification accredited by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ)
• earn no more than £195 a week

Who is responsible for paying Council Tax

A student can be responsible for Council Tax if they own or rent a property and someone who is not a student also lives there.

If a student and a non-student jointly own or jointly rent a property, the non-student is usually responsible for paying the Council Tax.

Apply for a discount or exemption

You'll need to provide evidence of your student or apprentice status.

Students

You must provide a student certificate issued by your place of study.

Apprentices

You must provide an employer letter that confirms your apprenticeship and shows that you meet the requirements for a Council Tax discount.

You must also confirm the names of any other adults who live at the property. If they are students or apprentices, we must see their certificates or employer letters.

If you stop being a student or apprentice

You stop being a full-time student when:

• your course ends, based on the date on your student certificate
• your college closes
• you leave or are dismissed from your course

You must tell us if you stop being a student or apprentice.

Include:

• your name
• your address
• your Council Tax account number
• the date you stopped being a student or apprentice

Email: croyctax@croydon.gov.uk

Or write to:

Council Tax team
Bernard Weatherill House
8 Mint Walk
Croydon
CR0 1EA

After you apply

We will review your application and the evidence you provide.

If you're eligible, we will apply the discount or exemption to your Council Tax account.

Your new Council Tax bill will show:

• how much has been deducted
• the period the discount or exemption covers

You must continue to pay your Council Tax as shown on your current bill while we assess your application.