council tax

[siratalmusta]

hi everyone how are u

Ive just moved from my parents house to my own

i am a full time student working partime geting cash on hand the council give me a 1000pound bill for my council tax bill i cant aford to pay this amount please someone tell me what to do

thank u all

[sam82]

hi i know in scotland that students get a discounted rate on council tax.

is the �1000 for a year??????

best bet and dont panic. give your council tax office a call, explain the situation see if that amount is yours and if it is ask what discount students get, you can make monthly payments, im sure they will agree on a payment you can afford..

as andy said, the citizen advice is a good port of call.

[Sammy Snake]

You should definately get a discount - do you live on your own?  I do and get a 25% discount.  You should also be able to pay by monthly instalments, I know I certainly couldn't afford to pay the whole years bill in one go!

Without meaning to sound harsh though, did you not budget for council tax before you moved out of your parents home?  It is probably the biggest bill (apart from rent/mortgage) and you can't excape it unfortunately.

Definately have a word with the council or the CAB, they will help as far as they can.

[Sammy Snake]

I have just found this info, hope it helps:

Council Tax Discount-Students
There are three types of reduction if a property is occupied by a student. An exemption, a 50% discount or a 25% discount.
Exemption

A full exemption is awarded when a property is occupied wholly by one or more students. A separate application form should be completed for each student resident in the property.

50% Discount
If your property does not qualify for an exemption, a 50% discount may be awarded instead if all the adults of the property fall into one of the special categories for Council Tax.

These special categories include students, student nurses, youth training trainees, apprentices, carers, 18 year olds for whom Child Benefit is payable and people who are severely mentally impaired.


25% Discount
A 25% discount is applicable when all the adults of the above property, except one, are students or fall into any other of the special categories mentioned above.
 
 
 

[natalie_1982]

�1000 is pretty cheap for a year, is your cash in hand job being declared?  Council tax is usually paid monthly.  I'd avise to call your local Council and discuss it with them.

[Sasha13]

Sammy Snake is correct - If you live alone or with other full time students you don't pay any council tax at all - you need to get a certificate from  your college/university and give it to your council and they'll issue you a new bill showing you don't owe any money. This applies in England, I don't know about Scotland/Wales etc.

[stevie21]

Agree with Sasha, if you are a student living alone or exclusively with other students then you pay absolutely no council tax at all. You're exempt as long as you fill in a form from the council and provide them with evidence from the uni of your course.