FAQs
Who's exempt from paying Council Tax? What are the criteria that I need to meet?
Any full-time, fully enrolled NTU student can claim exemption from Council Tax. If you're completing a placement year as part of your programme of study (for example, if you're studying on a 'Sandwich' course), then you can also claim exemption.
You must be resident in either your family home, a registered student residence, or a privately rented property (where all of the other residents are also full-time students).
You can only qualify for exemption once you're fully enrolled on a full-time course of study. To become Fully Enrolled, you must complete Online Enrolment, and all fees must be paid (failing this, confirmed payment arrangements must be in place). The Local Authority cannot begin to process your exemption until these criteria have been satisfied.
Over what period will I be exempt from paying Council Tax?
You're exempt for the duration of your studies, as specified by the official start and end dates of your course. This exemption will include timetabled vacation periods, such as the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays but may not cover the time between the end of your course and your Graduation ceremony.
I've completed my course of study, and am moving onto a new one in the next academic period - does my Council Tax exemption continue during the interim period?
As with all billing issues, this is at the full discretion of your Local Authority. As we can't provide confirmation that you're studying in the period between the two courses, your Council may not grant an exemption in the interim.
How much exemption do I get?
If you satisfy the criteria listed above, you should be eligible for full exemption from liabilities, which will be issued at the Local Authority's discretion.
How do I notify my Local Authority of my status? How can I prove that I'm a Fully Enrolled, Full-Time student at NTU?
This is at the discretion of the Local Authority - if you contact them, they will inform you of what's required but in most cases, once you notify the council, they will verify your details directly with the University. Direct.gov holds the details of the offices of all Local Authorities, and these are the contact details for nearby Local Authorities.
If you are unable to speak to the Local Authority and live within the Greater Nottinghamshire area, you can submit your details via our Online Exemption Form. however please note that this will not necessarily automatically exempt you from council tax and further verification checks may need to be made.
If your Local Authority is either Derby City Council or Mansfield District Council, please print off the Online Exemption Form, complete it, and post it directly to them.
Alternatively, if your Local Authority falls outside of Greater Nottinghamshire (for example, if you're commuting in to NTU from surrounding counties, or if you're completing a work placement), you can contact NTU for a letter confirming your student status, course details and dates. Please ensure that you include your name, NTU ID and the address which you require the exemption for in any email sent to us.
What if I have a break in my studies? I am currently undertaking a leave of absence, or planning to take one - will I need to pay Council Tax?
If you remain fully enrolled with NTU, you'll continue to be considered as a student for Council Tax purposes. If you take an official break from your studies or an extended period of absence, the council may wish to review your circumstances and the decision on whether you continue to be eligible for Council Tax Exemption is at the discretion of the Local Authority.
I am an International Student living with my husband / wife / dependent - will we have to pay Council Tax?
As a full-time student at NTU, you can apply for exemption. You'll need to be fully enrolled, and registered on a full-time course lasting at least one academic year.
Your spouse / dependent can also apply for exemption, provided that he or she is not a British citizen, and is prohibited by the terms of their visa from taking paid employment and / or claiming benefits. You may need to show the Local Authority your spouse's passport as proof of this.
Who can I contact at the University if I have a query about a bill?
If you think that you should be exempt from Council Tax, and you have been issued with a bill then you should contact the Local Authority directly. Direct.gov holds the details of the offices of all Local Authorities, and these are the contact details for nearby Local Authorities.
If the Local Authority queries your exempted status, or if you feel that your billing query has not been fully resolved, contact the Student Records team in the Dryden building, either by phone (0115 8484658) via email or in person. You'll need to provide copies of any relevant correspondence, including the bill in question, and any previous documentation from NTU confirming your exempted status.
Please give us as much notice as possible in helping you to resolve your queries. If bailiff or court action is pending / currently underway, we can't offer any guarantees that we'll be able to resolve your query before the payment deadline arrives.
My student registration has ended, but I am staying in my accommodation until graduation - am I still exempt?
No. The end date provided to the Local Authority - either through our own monthly listings, a Confirmation Letter, or your own online self-declaration - is your end date of studies, and binding. Full-time students are exempted from Council Tax because the commitments of the course often prevent them from undertaking paid employment - once your studies have finished, these commitments are no longer an issue.
I am a full-time student living in University-owned accommodation - will I have to pay Council Tax?
No. All University owned / managed Halls of Residence are exempt from Council Tax. University-owned flats and houses which are provided for students are also likely to be exempt.
I am a full-time student living in a private rented shared house with other full-time students - will I have to pay Council Tax?
As full-time students, you're all exempt - it's your responsibility, however, to contact your Local Authority and inform them of your student status. If your Local Authority is outside of Greater Nottinghamshire, you may be asked for a Confirmation Letter to confirm your student status. Your landlord may also ask for a copy of this document.
To request a confirmation letter, please contact us, and ensure that you include in the email your name, NTU ID and the address which you require the exemption for.
I am a full-time student living in a shared house, sharing with non-students (or part-time students) - Will I have to pay Council Tax?
The property will still be billed, but as a student tenant, you're not held liable for the charges. The person or people who are not students will be liable to pay, and should be informed of these obligations in advance, as their bills may be higher.
If there's only one non-student in the property, a 25% discount can be applied for, through your Local Authority.
You should exercise particular caution if you're studying on a placement year, and renting a room in a house with employed tenants; in this case, the exemption for that property may be lost. As above, please note that the final decisions regarding exemption and billing are made at the discretion of your Local Authority.
I am a PHD student in my Writing Up year - am I eligible for Council Tax Exemption?
You are normally entitled to Council Tax Exemption - as with all full-time, fully enrolled NTU students.
Please note that once you've submitted your Thesis, you'll no longer qualify for Council Tax exemption.
What if I need to re-submit my Thesis?
If you've been asked to re-submit your Thesis following review, your case for exemption will be assessed on an individual basis by the Local Authority.
My course entails a period of work experience / industrial placement. Can I claim Council Tax exemption during this time?
Typically yes, as this placement is a component of your ongoing studies. Contact your Local Authority, and then request a Confirmation Letter from NTU - once it's arrived with you, it'll be your responsibility to ensure that this letter is passed on to the Local Authority.
Direct.gov holds the details of the offices of all Local Authorities, and these are the contact details for nearby Local Authorities. To request a confirmation letter, please contact us and ensure that you include in the email your name, NTU ID and the address which you require the exemption for.
My course does not follow the standard academic year, will this cause a problem with Council Tax?
No. As long as the full time course runs for a full calendar year or academic year, you'll still be eligible, e.g. January 2013 to January 2014.
I am studying on a part time course - can I claim Council Tax exemption?
No. You need to be a Full-Time student in order to qualify.
I am studying on a distance learning course - can I claim Council Tax exemption?
If you are a full-time and fully enrolled student, you should be eligible for full exemption from liabilities, which will be issued at the Local Authority's discretion..
I'm moving to a new term-time address soon - can I secure my exemption in advance?
No. You can't secure an exemption for an address you're not yet residing in. Once you've moved in, you'll need to register your new accommodation through the MyNTU portal, closing off your old address, and adding the new one. Under no circumstances can we provide advance notice of exemption on an address, as students' circumstances can change at short notice.
You will need to be Fully Enrolled (and meet all other criteria) in order for NTU to confirm your attendance.
What information does Nottingham Trent University provide to the Local Authorities?
The Academic Registry team at NTU circulates on a monthly basis a list of all Full-Time, Fully Enrolled students to nearby Local Authorities; these lists give each Authority a comprehensive overview of all eligible students living within their locality.
The listings contain your full name and NTU ID, your term-time address, your course title, and the start / end dates of study.
Please note that you are still required to contact your Local Authority and inform them of your student status, the circulated list of eligible students will then act as confirmation. Direct.gov holds the details of the offices of all Local Authorities, and these are the contact details for nearby Local Authorities.
Who makes the final decision regarding my exemption?
Exemptions are issued at the complete discretion of the Local Authority. Aside from clarifying course and date details, the University has no defining say in whether a student should or shouldn't be exempt. If you're appealing a decision, this should be done directly through your Local Authority.
I am submitting a query / request to Nottingham Trent University's Council Tax team - when can I expect a response?
Our turnaround time for addressing and resolving queries is five working days. Queries are processed in the order of which they're resolved - there's no preferential treatment, however urgent the query.
I am the parent / guardian of an NTU student, and eligible for a Council Tax discount. How can I claim it?
Due to Data Protection protocols, we can only produce a Confirmation Letter following a request from an NTU student - please ask the student to contact us, including in the email their NTU ID number and a postal address to send the letter to.
