The surge in student numbers in Bristol is causing public services to lose out on an additional £2.6 million in council tax this year. Despite benefiting from the services provided by Bristol City Council, such as rubbish collection and parks, students are exempt from paying council tax. Bristol Live readers would generally like to see less student accommodation in their city.
Councillors argue that university cities like Bristol should receive extra funding from the government to compensate for the large student population and the resulting shortfall in council tax. They claim that student exemptions from council tax pose a “significant financial challenge”.
The total cost of students not paying council tax in Bristol is uncertain, but it has risen by £2.6 million this year. During a full council meeting, councillors also highlighted how students contribute to the city in other ways, such as patronising local pubs.
Currently, thousands of student flats are under construction across the city. Developers can obtain permission for homes that do not meet national standards for space and daylight, such as the block of flats being built on Gas Lane behind Temple Meads train station.
Conservative Councillor Jonathan Hucker stated: “Bristol has a very large student population and an increasing number of student exemptions, and this obviously provides a very significant financial challenge for the council. However, the large student population does bring benefits to the city’s hospitality sector and night-time economy.”
Commenter Junius1: “While the government giving an extra council tax subsidy to cover students in university cities is an attractive idea, the likelihood of this happening any time soon (if at all) given the government’s fiscal problems is zero. While some students have wealthy backgrounds, many struggle with coping on student loans and part time jobs. Forcing students to pay may well exacerbate collection problems, causing more expense to councils with using bailiffs and courts. Perhaps an arrangement with universities making some kind of payment on behalf of their student populations might help.”
Prims thinks: “It’s a win-win situation for the universities and the property developers but not for the residents of Bristol. Property developers don’t even pay business tax on their huge profits of renting bedsits. Imposing a Student Congestion Charge on property developers, £500 per annum per bedsit would see a good rise in council revenue and property developers wouldn’t even miss this amount. Stop giving Carte blanche to approving every building application which is submitted to build student bedsits. Stop allowing the Universities and property developers to run our City.”
Madsaxon agrees: “The council makes a valid point. They should be allowed to tax them. The council is in dire financial straits. If not, charge the landlords, the universities, and impose a cap on the numbers of students.”
Lliquid points out: “At the rate of £2.6m per year, students paying council tax would pay off the cost of Bristol Beacon being refurbished (£132m) in “just” 50.7 years. Maybe look at the massive waste of money being spent by the Council rather than worry about income that amounts to around 1% of the £229m it is owed but not chasing.”
Downtowngirl asks: “Not only do they not pay council tax, but the properties are empty for around a third of the year, how many families could be housed if they were real homes?”
Fatlike says: “Students and their families spend a huge amount supporting the local economy i.e. shops etc. Does this not count?”
Belloc replies: “And how much does the council spend clearing up after them? Just about all the fly-tipping and vandalism in my area is down to students.”
Zilul adds: “I spend a huge amount supporting the local economy but still have to pay council tax!”
Blackbeard83 retorts: “You could also argue it will lead to more tax payers when they graduate & decide to stay. Where can students find money to pay council tax? A bigger loan? Is 50k debt not enough?”
Do you think students should be forced to pay council tax? Is there too much student accommodation in Bristol? Who is to blame? Have your say in our comments section.