Exemptstudents don't pay it — if they claim it

Student council tax exemption in Bath

A house in Bath lived in only by full-time students pays no council tax. At Bath and North East Somerset Council's Band D charge of £2,383 a year, that exemption is worth about £199 a month — but only if you actually claim it.

£2,383Band D council tax in Bath — what the exemption is worth for a year

What Bath and North East Somerset Council requires

All-student householdFully exempt
How to claimAutomatic in university halls; otherwise register at your Bath address and apply online for a Class N exemption using your account number.
Evidence they wantJust your student number for Bath, Bath Spa and Norland students — but only if you consented at enrolment to your university sharing your details. A student certificate for every other institution.
University sends your data directlyYes
Band D charge, 2026/27£2,383

The data sharing needs your consent, so check you gave it at enrolment. Students with a non-British partner or dependants who cannot work or claim benefits pay nothing but must send the certificate, the partner's passport page and everyone's visas. Keep paying instalments until a new bill arrives.

If not everyone in the house is a full-time student

Sharing with one part-time student cuts the bill 25%, and the part-time student is the one liable for the rest.

[slot: student] — not configured. Add real, disclosed affiliate content in the property config, or delete the slot.

Student cities with a similar bill

The councils nearest Bath and North East Somerset Council on the Band D charge — what the exemption is worth where you might have gone instead. The full table has every one.

CityCouncilBand D
HullHull City Council£2,295
LincolnCity of Lincoln Council£2,323
BradfordCity of Bradford Metropolitan District Council£2,333
BirminghamBirmingham City Council£2,353
LoughboroughCharnwood Borough Council£2,378
BathBath and North East Somerset Council£2,383
CanterburyCanterbury City Council£2,398
BournemouthBournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council)£2,400
HuddersfieldKirklees Council£2,430
PlymouthPlymouth City Council£2,442
LancasterLancaster City Council£2,461

Questions

Do students pay council tax in Bath?

No, not if every adult in the property is a full-time student — the household is exempt. The exemption has to be claimed; it does not apply itself just because you are a student.

How do I claim the student exemption with Bath and North East Somerset Council?

Automatic in university halls; otherwise register at your Bath address and apply online for a Class N exemption using your account number.

What proof do I need?

Just your student number for Bath, Bath Spa and Norland students — but only if you consented at enrolment to your university sharing your details. A student certificate for every other institution.

What if one housemate isn't a full-time student?

Sharing with one part-time student cuts the bill 25%, and the part-time student is the one liable for the rest.

Other councils

Checked 18 August 2026 against bathnes.gov.uk. Councils change their forms and evidence rules; the council's own page is the authority when you claim.

Processes checked 19 August 2026 against each council's own pages. This is information, not advice, and the council's page is the authority when you claim.