If you do not pay your Council Tax bill

If you do not pay your Council Tax bill instalments, you could face legal action and a fine.

If you do not pay your instalments on time, you could face court action, leading to additional fees of £132.50.

Pay now

If you miss your payments

If you pay by cash or card, the money must be available in your Council Tax account by the 5th of each month. If you pay at a bank, post office, by post or at a PayPoint outlet, allow a few days for the payment to reach us.

If you pay by Direct Debit then you must ensure the funds are in your bank account on the date you usually pay.

Missing your payment, even if it is late, will start the following Council Tax arrears recovery process:

  1. A reminder letter is sent

    If you are more than 7 days late with payment, you will get a reminder letter advising how much you should pay to bring your account up to date.

  2. If you miss further payments

    If your Council Tax falls into arrears again at any point in the current financial year, you will be sent another reminder asking you to bring your account up to date within 7 days.

  3. Final notice

    If you do not bring your account up to date following the second reminder, you will be issued with a final notice and you will lose your right to pay by instalments.

  4. Court summons notice

    If you do not pay, a court summons will be issued and you will be liable to pay for the full year, plus legal costs.

  5. Court hearing

    A court hearing will be held if your arrears and legal costs are not paid following the issue of the court summons notice.

  6. After the court hearing

    If no payment arrangement has been agreed and you do nothing, we will issue a liability order.