Council tax

For University-owned properties, council tax is sometimes paid by the University and charged to residents through their rent as explained below.

Living in halls

University-owned single student rooms

Full-time registered University of Surrey students who live in single rooms in buildings occupied only by similar students do not have to pay any council tax. Therefore single-student room rents do not include any council tax.

University-owned staff single rooms

Members of staff who live in single rooms in staff flats or houses have council tax included in their rent as the whole flat is occupied by staff and they are therefore liable for council tax.

Couple and family accommodation and Band F rooms

Our family flats are liable for council tax as it is possible that they are occupied by people who are not full-time registered students of the University.

For this reason when we offer you a property we will quote the rent including a full council tax charge (100 per cent). Rent figures including the 75 per cent council tax charge and the no council tax charge are available on our accommodation prices and payment page.

When you pay your pre-payment to accept the property we will ask you to make a declaration about who will be living in your flat/house.

Please refer to our council tax declarations help sheet (PDF) for a list of the possible declarations you can make and the ‘effect on the council tax’ which will be included in your rent.

Living in privately rented property

The amount payable depends on the value of the property, how many people live there and if they are registered as full-time students. If all the adults (18 years old or above) living in the property are full-time students, no council tax is payable.

If the house is not owned by the University, you will need to obtain a council tax exemption certificate. To obtain an exemption letter, please log onto Surrey Self Service and select to the ‘Letters’ tab in the top right corner of the screen.  

Support

Read more about council tax exemptions and how to apply