All Payment Methods

You can pay your council tax in monthly instalments, with up to ten instalments in a full year, except for direct debit where you can have 12, if you contact us in February or early March so that the arrangement can begin in April. Your bill will detail the payments and the dates on which they should be made.

There are a number of ways to pay your council tax. However, if you choose to pay by direct debit, you have a greater choice of payment dates.

Direct debit

Direct debit is the simplest and most convenient way to pay

You won't run the risk of missing or forgetting to make a payment
You will be covered by the direct debit guarantee
No more queuing to pay at banks, post offices or council offices

Also, it is the only method that allows you a choice of payment dates (1, 8, 15, 20 or 25 of the month).

With direct debit you can also ask for 12 monthly payment instalments rather than ten. If you would like to do this, you should contact the council tax section in February or early March. This option must run from April until March and must be paid on the first of the month.

If you would like to pay by direct debit you can Download a direct debit form (pdf 265kb), which should be printed, completed and then sent to us by post or handed in at our office.

In order to view the form you need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here for free.

Once your direct debit has been set up we will send you confirmation, together with the dates and amounts of the instalments. This notification will be sent to you at least 14 days prior to the first instalment.

Making payments by debit or credit card

You can pay your council tax online by debit or credit card.

If you wish to pay by credit or debit card you can telephone 0845 6000 611. This is an automated service and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will need to quote your council tax account number which can be found on the front of your council tax bill.

Alternatively, if you want to make a payment by debit or credit card but do not want to use the automated service, telephone 020 7525 1850. Please have your council tax account and card details to hand.

Paying by swipe card at post offices, PAYzone or PayPoint

You can pay your council tax by cash or debit card using a swipe card. Payments can be made using a swipe card at any post office, PAYzone, PayPoint or Southwark Council cash office. There are over 200 outlets to choose from in the borough, some of which offer extended opening hours.

To find out more about swipe cards, including a list of outlets in your area, see the Southwark swipe cards leaflet (pdf 199kb). To order a swipe card to pay for your council tax, ring 020 7525 1850. Please remember that all payments by this method are due on or before the first of the month.

Cash offices

If you wish to pay in cash at any of the council's cashiers' offices, you will need to obtain a cash payment card. Please telephone 020 7525 1850 to request one.

Peckham Cash Office
19-23 Bournemouth Road
Peckham
SE15
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.45pm; Saturday, 8.30am to 2.30pm

Walworth Cash Office
177-179 Walworth Road
SE17
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.45pm; Saturday, 8.30am to 2.30pm

By post

Cheques or postal orders can be sent through the post. They should be made payable to Southwark Council and crossed 'account payee'. Please remember that all payments by this method are due on or before the first of the month.

Please send to

Cashiers Service
PO Box 11767
London SE16 3DA

Please do not send cash by post.

Our One Stop Shops have facilities for you to use the internet or telephone to make payments. The One Stop Shops also have handitills for you to deposit cheque payments.

Learn more about our One Stop Shops.

At a bank

If you wish to make payment at a bank you will need payment instalment slips. Please contact the council tax section if you have not already received these. Please remember that all payments by this method are due on or before the first of the month.

Yearly or six monthly

You can of course pay your council tax in one yearly payment or two half-yearly instalments. However these payments should be made in advance of the monthly instalment dates (April 1 and October 1).

Contact us

By telephone

020 7525 1880 - housing and council tax benefit
020 7525 1850 - council tax

By post

Council Tax Section
London Borough Of Southwark
P.O. Box 782
Bromley
BR1 3YE

Please indicate which department your query is for.

In person

Bermondsey One Stop Shop
Spa Road
Bermondsey
SE16 3QN

Peckham One Stop Shop
Ground Floor
Peckham Library
122 Peckham Hill Street
SE15 5JR

Walworth One Stop Shop
151 Walworth Road
London
SE17 1RY

Dulwich Area Housing Office
41-43 East Dulwich Road
Dulwich
SE22 9BY

By email

Housing/council tax benefit: Soucounciltaxuk@Liberata.com
Council tax: Soucounciltaxuk@Liberata.com