What happens if I am unable to pay my council tax?

Non payment of council tax is a serious matter and the council tax regulations give local authorities strong powers to deal with non payments.  If you are having difficulty paying your council tax you are encouraged to contact the Council as soon as possible so that our experienced staff can establish if you are entitled to a reduction and discuss a more suitable payment arrangement.

Taxpayers who are in receipt of a low income are entitled to claim Council Tax and Housing Benefit.  We have an online calculator you can use to check if you are entitled to Benefit.  Please follow the link to the right to use the Benefits Calculator.

Taxpayers who miss an instalment and have not contacted the Council will receive a reminder notice.  This reminder gives you only 7 days to bring your payments up-to-date.  Should you fail to bring your instalments up-to-date within the specified time period, your right to pay by instalments will be cancelled without further notice and a summons will be issued for the full year's charge. 

Taxpayers who bring their instalments up-to-date within the 7 day period will be allowed to continue with their monthly instalments.  If the instalments fall behind for a second time they will then receive a second reminder; again, taxpayers will be given 7 days to bring payments up-to-date to avoid the withdrawal of the instalments and the commencement of court proceedings. 

Again, if taxpayers bring their instalments up-to-date they can continue with the instalment scheme; however if the payments fall into arrears for a third time a final reminder will be issued.  This reminder withdraws a taxpayer's right to pay by instalments and states the full balance of the account must be paid in full within 7 days, otherwise a summons will be issued.

Taxpayers who fail to pay as instructed on a reminder notice will receive a summons for the remaining balance of their account.  Court costs of £85 will be added to their council tax arrears.  The full balance including costs should be paid in full to avoid the magistrates granting a liability order that gives the authority further powers to recover the debt.  For more information, please click on "Liability Orders Explained" on the left.

There are only 2 defences against the granting of a liability order:

1. The charge has not been demanded in accordance with the law.
2. The charge including costs has been paid in full.

If you receive a summons but do not have a valid defence and are unable to pay in full as required, you do not need to attend the hearing as the liability order will be granted in your absence.  However, you should contact the Council immediately to discuss your arrears