- Am I exempt from Council Tax?
- Get your Council Tax exemption certificate
- Common questions
- Need help?
Am I exempt from Council Tax?
You may be exempt from paying Council Tax if:
- You're studying full-time on a course lasting at least six months.
- You're a part-time student studying more than 90 credits in an academic year (subject to review).
- Council Tax applies to properties, so your exemption may depend on who you live with.
| If you live with | Exemption Status |
| Other students who are also exempt | Your household will be fully exempt whilst everyone is studying. Each student must provide their own exemption evidence to the council. |
| Non-students (for example parents or working adults) |
You may qualify for a discount or partial exemption. Contact your local council to check.
|
Get your Council Tax exemption certificate
| Student Type | Where to access your evidence |
| Consortium college student. | Request your exemption from your college. |
| HIC student. | Request your exemption from HIC. |
|
Doctoral College / Part-Time / Online / Distance Learning student living in the UK |
Contact the Ask Herts team using the button at the bottom of the page. Include:
|
| Full-time University of Hertfordshire student. | Follow the steps below |
1. Register
You must be fully registered before requesting a certificate.
- New students: complete your course registration
- Returning students: re-enrol for the new academic year
2. Request your evidence
- Request your certificate through the Student Letters Portal.
- Your evidence will be emailed to you within 20 minutes.
If you cannot access the portal, email CouncilTaxQueries@herts.ac.uk and include your:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Full address
Need evidence for a previous academic year?
If you need evidence for a historic Council Tax bill, the University can produce this manually.
3. Download your certificate
You'll receive a download link via the personal email address recorded on your student record.
4. Send your evidence to your council.
Submit your certificate using your local council's website or email process.
Not sure which council you need? Use the Find Your Local Council service.
Common Questions
You can find answers here to some common Council Tax related questions.
- What is a Council Tax Exemption Notice?
It confirms the period during which you are exempt from paying Council Tax.
- Do I need to apply every year?
Yes, most councils require you to renew your exemption annually. Check with your council each year. - I’ve withdrawn or finished my course — what now?
Once you stop studying, you’re no longer eligible for exemption. Contact your council immediately.
If you start at another institution, request a new certificate from them. - I’m transferring to a new course.
Request a new exemption certificate. If there’s a gap between courses, you may need to pay Council Tax for that period. - I’m on a placement year
If your placement is part of an eligible full-time course, you remain exempt. - I’ve finished my course but haven’t graduated yet
You’re only exempt while you’re an active student — you’ll need to start paying Council Tax once your course ends. - I’ve received a letter from the council
Check what dates the letter covers. If you were not registered as a student during that time, you may need to pay. If you were, send the council your exemption certificate.
Need Help?
Contact Ask Herts or email CouncilTaxQueries@herts.ac.uk.
Please include:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Student type (for example full-time, part-time or doctoral)
- Full postal address for the exemption certificate