Student discount and exemptions

How to apply

Apply online for student council tax exemptions and discounts

Alternatively download and return the Student council tax exemption and discount application form available via the downloads link on the right hand side of this page. If you are a student nurse and wish to apply please use the Student nurse council tax exemption and discount application form which is also available via the downloads section.

Frequently asked questions and answers

How do I apply for my council tax student exemption?

To be able to qualify for the council tax student exemption, you must be a full time student. If you study at York University, York St Johns University, York College or Askham Bryan College please use the following link to our online application form:

Apply online for student council tax exemptions and discounts

If you study at an alternative educational establishment please download a Student council tax exemption and discount application form via the downloads link on the right hand side of this page. This form should be completed and returned along with your student exemption certificate which can be obtained from your academic registrar.

Please email, as attachments, a copy of this form and your student exemption certificate to council.tax@york.gov.uk or post the form and a copy of your student certificate to: Council Tax Section, City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York YO1 6GA.

Your on-line student exemption form is not working, what do I do now?

If you study at York University, York St Johns, York College or Askham Bryan College and the online form is not working, you can download a Student council tax exemption and discount application form which is available via the downloads link on the right hand side of this page. You can then email the completed form as an attachment to: council.tax@york.gov.uk or post the form to; Council Tax Section, City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York YO1 6GA

I have completed the form on-line / sent in my documents in with the paper form, what happens now?

Once we have received your application we cross reference your details with lists provided by York University, York St John University, York College and Askham Bryan College or review your student exemption certificate if you study elsewhere. If we have proof that all occupants are students, we will award a full student exemption. If there is an issue with any of the occupants not being on the lists we will contact you to request a student exemption certificate from your academic registrar.

I have applied for my student exemption but have not heard anything from you?

We do endeavour to respond to you within 10 working days however we appreciate your patience at peak periods as there can be a large volume of applications due to the large student population in York.

If you are concerned about your application then please feel free to email us on council.tax@york.gov.uk or by telephone on (01904) 551558 to check the progress of your application.

What is the deadline for applying for my student exemption?

We cannot take details of your move into your new property more than 14 days in advance. There is no deadline as such to apply for a student exemption, but the sooner you tell us you are a student, the sooner we can profile your account if appropriate (this means you will not receive reminders for payment of your council tax account). Your student status will be processed as soon as student lists are received from your university or college. However, it is worth noting that the lists are often not received until October or November and as a result your student status cannot be properly processed until then. When the lists have been received and your details are confirmed, we will issue an exemption notice as appropriate.’

What does UPRN stand for?

It stands for Unique Property Reference Number; it is not important if you have not got this when completing the manual student form, however, please ensure that your term time address in York is clearly marked on the application form and please provide a contact telephone number in case we have any queries.

Do you need a Student Certificate from the university or college I attend, confirming my student status?

Normally we do not require a student exemption certificate if you study at York University, York St John University, York College or Askham Bryan College as these establishments provide lists of their full time students. However should we have difficulty locating you on the lists,we will contact you to request a certificate.

For all other educational providers we do require a student exemption certificate. 

I have received a bill / reminder / summons notice however I have already applied for my student exemption?

As council tax is a charge on the property, a single bill is issued to the property for all liable parties. In the case of full time students this should show an exemption for the duration of your studies.

Each student in the property must register for council tax and apply for student exemption. Once we have received your application we cross reference your details with lists provided by York University, York St John University, York College and Askham Bryan College or review your student exemption certificate if you study elsewhere. If there is an problem we will contact you to request a student exemption certificate from your academic registrar.

The student lists however are not normally sent to the Council Tax department until late October/Early November, so if we receive your online application before then we usually put a temporary hold on your Council tax bill which will stop reminders and summons letters being sent to you, however we will only do this if all the occupants are students and all have completed the online request.

If you have received either a reminder or summons please contact the Council Tax Department on (01904) 551558 to check if there is an issue with your application.

The property is occupied by both students and non-students so what happens with the council tax bill in this situation?

Properties occupied by a mix of students and non-students may be eligible for a discount. Students are 'not counted' when calculating how many people live in a property. As the charge assumes two people live in a property, if there were two people resident, but one was a full time student, then you can apply for a 25% discount for the student resident. However if there were two non students and three students the bill would remain at a full charge payable by the non students. Also if a student is sharing a property with a severely mentally impaired person; they would be entitled to a full exemption.

Do I need to apply every year for my council tax exemption?

Yes, as you may have changed address or the others that occupy your property may have changed it is best to keep us informed.

If my degree finishes in July but my Masters degree does not start until October, do I have pay council tax in-between?

Yes. Students only qualify for exemption whilst registered as undertaking studies, therefore the period between does not qualify.  

If one student is moving out and another is moving in, what do I do?

A move in form will need to be completed and a registration for student exemption form would also need to be completed for the new student.

The student moving out would also need to complete a move out form or a transfer form if moving within the area.

You can complete this online.

There are multiple students in the property, do we have to fill out separate forms?

It is not necessary to fill out separate forms for each student as either of the online forms allows space for details of all occupants at the property.

We would prefer to receive one application from one property as information arriving separately may complicate or slow the process down.

I am no longer a student, what do I do about my council tax?

If you are no longer entitled to student exemption you will need to contact us with the date that you ceased your studies and provide confirmation from your course provider.

You can complete a council tax amendment form online.

I am a foreign student and my spouse / partner and children will be joining me whilst I study in York, do they have to pay council tax?

If you are a full time student and your spouse/partner is joining you and their visa states that they have no recourse to public funding and your children are under 18 years old then an exemption may apply.

In order for us to determine this we would require a copy of your spouse/partner’s passport/visa. You can email a copy as an attachment to council.tax@york.gov.uk or post this information to us at the Council Tax Section, City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York YO1 6GA. (Please do not send originals in the post).