Find out if you can pay less council tax if you're a full-time student in Bristol, and apply for a discount or exemption.
We're currently receiving a high volume of enquiries which may cause delays in processing changes to council tax accounts.
You don't need to send duplicate enquiries. We'll respond to you as quickly as possible.
Who could get a discount or exemption
You can get a discount or be exempt if:
- everyone in the property is a full-time student. You may not have to pay any council tax
- only some people are full-time students. You'll have to pay but might get a discount
If you live in a student hall provided by your university or college then you don't need to apply.
If your tenancy start date is before your course start date, you will not be counted as a full-time student for the period between those dates and you could be liable to pay council tax for that period. The same applies if your course ends before the last day of your tenancy.
Apply for a discount or exemption
Before you start
You'll need the:
- address and postcode of the property in Bristol
- names of all adults over 18 living at the property
- date each person moved in
- student number or certificate for each student
- date of birth for students under 20 years old
After you've applied
After you complete the online student discount form you may be asked to upload student certificates.
You can upload any student certificates using our Council Tax enquiry form.
Apply for a student discount or exemption
What is a full-time student
If you're under 20, then your course(s) must:
- last at least 3 months
- involve at least 12 hours study per week
If you're over 20 years old, then your course(s) must:
- last at least 24 weeks
- involve at least 21 hours study a week
- be at a recognised educational establishment
If you live with someone who is not a full-time student
Only one non-student in the property
If there is only one non-student living in the property, the household is eligible for a 25% discount on the council tax bill.
The student(s) in the household are disregarded for council tax purposes. They are not counted when the number of adults in the property are calculated. This is known as a student disregard.
Two or more non-students living in the property
If there are two or more non-students living in the property, the household does not qualify for a single person discount. The full council tax amount is payable.
The student(s) are still disregarded, but this does not affect the discount since there are already two non-students.