Council Tax

What is council tax?

Council Tax is a system of taxation on your property made by the government. This pays for local services such as waste collection, street lighting, police and fire services and road maintenance.

As a full time student, you will usually not have to pay council tax. However, there are regulations surrounding who you live with which may mean that there is a charge on the property.

How to get your council tax exemption

For students living within the jurisdiction of Manchester City Council, your council tax exemption will be confirmed to the council on your behalf by the university and you should not need to do anything. However, in some cases the council require more information, or updated informaton if something like your address or length of study has changed.

If you receive a message from the council asking you to pay council tax, or confirm your council tax exemption, you should request a Confirmation of Registration letter by using the online enquiry form.

This letter will confirm the start and end dates of you enrollment at the university, which the council can use to determine you council tax exemption status. To provide this letter to the council, please use their online service.

Students living within the Manchester City Council catchment area

Students living in the following postcodes will fall within the jurisdiction of Manchester City Council:

 Students who do not live in a Manchester City Council area

If you do not live in an area under the jurisdiction of Manchester City Council, you will need to register as a student with your local council. The council may request evidence of your student status in order to grant you council tax exemption. You can request a Confirmation of Registration letter using the online enquiry form to prove your student status.