► Council Tax
WHAT IS THE COUNCIL TAX?
The Council Tax is set by the local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to help pay for certain services such as libraries, the police and the fire brigade. It is based on the value of the house, flat or other dwelling in which you live. Leaflets concerning Council Tax are available from the Students’ Union office.
HOW IS THE LEVEL OF COUNCIL TAX DETERMINED?
Properties are classified into eight bands. The amount of tax levied depends upon the band appropriate to your dwelling and the tax set by your local authority. In general, the greater the value of your dwelling, the higher the tax will be. The tax is calculated on a daily basis, and liable persons are normally entitled to pay the bill in 10 monthly instalments.
STUDENTS LIVING IN THE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR
If the house you are living in is occupied entirely by students then you will be exempt from paying council tax. If the house has one or more non-student living in it then the property becomes liable for council tax. It is possible that a student living with a non-student could be Athe liable person@, therefore, students in this situation will be legally liable for council tax. If you find yourself in this situation seek advice.
HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
If a property is classed as a House in Multiple Occupation then the responsibility falls onto the owner even if they do not live in the property. A property is likely to be classed a HMO if it contains a number of people who:
do not form a single household
pay rent separately for a different part of the building
The natural result of this is that the rent may be somewhat higher than the local average so that the landlord can cover the cost of the Council Tax, so you may find yourself paying indirectly the bill.
PROOF OF STUDENT STATUS
To satisfy the city council’s requirements for proof of study you have to produce a certificate provided by the institution in which you are studying. An NUS card, ISIC card or College ID is not sufficient. The college’s finance office, on the first floor, provides certificates to all students who request one once you have registered on a course. These can normally be collected in the first term week of an academic year.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU COLLECT YOUR CERTIFICATE FROM THE COLLEGE FINANCE OFFICE READY TO RETURN TO THE COUNCIL WHEN REQUIRED.
