Council Tax

Do I need to pay council tax?

Full-time students living in a house or flat in which only full-time students are living do not have to pay Council Tax.

A house or flat occupied by one non-student and one or more full-time student/s is liable for 75% of Council Tax.

Part-time students have to pay Council Tax.

Students who have to pay Council Tax may be eligible for Council Tax Benefit and should contact your local council.

How do I let the council know I am a full-time student?

The University will pass your details on to the following councils:

Reading Borough Council
Wokingham Borough Council
Bracknell Forest Council

If you live in one of these council areas and receive a Council Tax bill, you and any other full-time students in the house should make a photocopy of your Campus Card and send this photocopy back to the council stating that as a full-time student you are not liable for Council Tax. The council will then check your details against the lists we provide.

If you do not live in one of these areas, you can get a Confirmation of Enrolment letter by contacting the Helpdesk in the Carrington Building.

Council Tax FAQs

I am a final-year student. When do I have to start paying Council Tax?

I am a research student. Do I have to pay Council Tax?

You do not have to pay Council Tax while you are enrolled as a full-time student. If you change your enrolment from full-time to part-time you will become liable for Council Tax from the date of this change. If you are enrolled full-time, we deem you to have ceased being a full-time student from the date when your period of Minor Corrections ends following your viva. Students who are required to make Major Corrections are not considered to be full-time students and are therefore not eligible for Council Tax Exemption.

I am an International Student and I have my family living with me. Are they exempt from Council Tax?

I am thinking of moving to Reading a few weeks before my course starts. Will I have to pay Council Tax?

I am thinking of suspending my studies, will I still have to pay Council Tax during my period of suspension?

I will be in full-time paid work during my placement year. Will I have to pay Council Tax?

More than one person in our household is not a full-time student. How much do we have to pay?

One person in our household is not a full-time student and is on benefits. How much do we have to pay?

The property will attract a 25% single person's discount from the total bill. If that one person is in receipt of Income Support/Job Seeker's Allowance (income based), assistance will be given through the Housing Benefit system and the person claiming the Council Tax Benefit should receive the full amount of the bill. The students will be completely ignored.