Council tax - single parent, 18yo dc going to uni

[Chasingsquirrels]

Just reading another thread about a graduate staying in a student house and impact on council tax and it made me ponder.

Single parent with teens.
25% single adult discount claimed.
Oldest teen is 18, finished A'levels this summer and waiting for results & intending to go to uni in the autumn.
Child benefit & child tax credits run till 31 Aug.

• what is the position NOW (post "finishing" college to 31 Aug).
• is the position any different 1 Sep until they actually go to uni (late Sep/early Oct?).
• what is the position in uni holidays if they come home (presumably as a student they don't count, so 25% stays in place).

Chasingsquirrels I had two away at college/uni and one in the forces and still got my 25% single person discount on council tax. In my county, even if the forces member comes home every weekend they are classed as living on base.

I've never had to pay full council tax during transition from compulsory education to uni, nor during uni holidays. I think they are students until they graduate!

Yeah I agree with holidays, it's just this transition period I wondered about

They are still classed as in full time (under 18) education until September, then are exempt as university students from September.

Your local council will probably ask for an official letter from the University to confirm that they are registered. From what I can remember this was quite easy to get (I had to get a new letter each year I think), and you can send this on to the Council.

My council asked me which uni and I didn't have to provide proof. I don't know if they check with the uni

Councils will usually require a student status letter. Very often the student can generate their own letters for council tax purposes from their online account

Haven't had to provide any evidence to my council - they must be very lax!

My eldest got a Council Tax Exemption form signed by the university which I sent to our council - the stated that they would check directly with the college & university in our city but anywhere else a form was needed. It's not necessary now as my youngest is over 18 and is at work so we no longer qualify for the exemption.