Council tax and TV licences

Who needs to pay?

Do full-time students have to pay council tax?

• If you are a student living in halls of residence you do not have to pay council tax and do not need to register with the council tax office.

• If you are a full-time student living in a property where all residents are full-time students you do not have to pay council tax. You will need to register your details with the council tax office to confirm that all residents are exempt.

• If you are a full-time student living with non-students (or part-time students) who jointly rent or own a property, you do not have to pay council tax. You need to inform the council tax office of your status to confirm that you are exempt. The non-students do need to pay council tax. They will be eligible for the single person’s 25 per cent discount if they are the only non-student in the property.

Do part-time students have to pay council tax?

• Part-time students have to pay council tax. You will need to register your details with the council tax office.

Find out more

You can download the Students and Council Tax leaflet (pdf) from Brighton & Hove City Council.

You can visit Brighton & Hove City Council website for information about council tax and student reductions.

What do I need to do? 

You will need to confirm your status to the council.

If you live in the Brighton & Hove City Council area:

Brighton & Hove City Council do not require a council tax exemption certificate. Please complete the student reduction application form provided by Brighton & Hove City Council.

If you live outside of Brighton & Hove:

If you are a full-time student but live outside of the Brighton & Hove City Council area you will need to send a council tax exemption certificate to your local council tax office.

The University of Brighton Registry can send this to you – email them at studentadministration@brighton.ac.uk with your request.