Renfrewshire Council

You may be able to get money off your council tax bill if you're a student living in Renfrewshire.

Being exempt from paying council tax means you do not have to pay.

You do not pay council tax if you're under 18.

If everyone living in your property is a full-time student, you may not have to pay any council tax.

If only some people are full-time students, you might be able to get a discount.

Who can get a discount or exemption

To qualify for a discount or exemption there are certain criteria you must meet.

Students on full-time courses of education

You're a full-time student for council tax purposes if your course:

• lasts at least 24 weeks of the academic year
• lasts at least 21 hours of study, tuition or work experience a week.

Students under 20 years old

If you're under 20 years old your course must:

• last at least 3 months
• have at least 12 hours of study a week.

When you do not need to apply

If you live in student halls of residence provided by your university or college, then you do not need to apply.

If you live with a parent or guardian, they may still qualify for a discount on your behalf.

What kind of discount or exemption you may get

If you qualify as a student, your household may be able to get a discount or exemption.

Full-time students are not included when counting the number of eligible adults living in the property for discount purposes.

If you live with only 1 adult (aged 18 or over) or a part-time student, your household will still have to pay council tax but may get a discount of 25%.

You may be exempt if everyone living in your property is a full-time student or qualifies for a different council tax discount.

If you live in a property with at least 2 people who do not qualify, they will need to pay full council tax.

Before you apply

You'll need to register for council tax before you can apply for a student discount or exemption.

There are different ways to register depending on your living circumstances and the university or college you attend.

Students living in halls of residence

If you live in student halls of residence provided by your university or college, then you do not need to register. You'll be automatically exempt from paying council tax.

If you move out of halls of residence and move to a property elsewhere in Renfrewshire, you'll need to tell us about a change of address for council tax.

Students living in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) or shared accommodation

If you live in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) property or where you lease a room within a property and share communal facilities such as a bathroom, kitchen, or living room, the landlord must pay council tax, not the tenants.

If you live within an HMO or shared accommodation, you'll need to let us know. When you contact us, attach a copy of your lease to ensure we can review and update your account.

You'll need to provide your student certificate confirming the details of your course from the college or university.

Students at University of the West of Scotland (UWS)

We have an electronic process in place with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) which means we can verify your student status directly with the university.

You'll need to apply online to confirm your address and the number of adults staying in the property.

You can register by following these steps:

• log in to the UWS Self-Service Banner and select "Opt-in" to allow UWS to share information with the council
• create your MyAccount profile or log in
• register for council tax before you can apply for a discount. 

All other students

If you are living in Renfrewshire and attend any other college or university, you need to apply for a discount or exemption and supply proof of your student status.

This includes students attending other UK establishments as part of a full-time course at a college or university elsewhere in the EU.

You can register by following these steps:

• create your MyAccount profile or log in
• register for council tax before you can apply. 

You'll need to provide your student certificate confirming the details of your course from the college or university.

How to apply

If you are a student at college or university, you can apply for a council tax discount or exemption online.

If you are a student nurse, you should apply using the student nurse application form for council tax discount.

If you are not a UWS student, you'll need to attach proof of your full-time student status.

Each student living in your property must complete the application before we can award the correct level of discount.

We can only give you a discount or exemption for the period your college or university has confirmed to us that you are studying.

If your course lasts for more than one year, you must apply for a student discount or exemption at the start of every academic year.

What happens next

We'll let you know of our decision by email.

If your discount is confirmed, we'll send you a revised council tax notice.

You should continue to pay your council tax as normal until you have received a revised notice.

What happens if your circumstances change

If no longer qualify for a discount, you must tell us of your change in status.

We'll then update your council tax account and send you a new bill.

You may have to pay a fine if you do not tell us.

Get help with paying your council tax

If you think you could fall behind on your council tax payments, phone us on 0300 300 0300 and ask for advice. There may be support available to help you avoid missing your payments.