When You Do Not Pay

Council tax is a local collection tax. It is collectable by law and recoverable through the courts. Not paying your council tax is a serious offence and can result in severe action being taken against you.

If you are having problems paying you should

• Consider whether you are entitled to any of the reductions and make an application
• Consider whether you are entitled to council tax benefit or second adult rebate
• Contact the council tax section to explain you problems and agree a revised payment arrangement

You should not ignore bills and reminders.

Reminders

If you do not pay your council tax in line with your instalments then we will issue you with a reminder. You must pay the amount shown on the reminder within seven days, to bring your account up to date.

We will not continue to issue a reminder for each missing or late instalment and only a maximum of two will be issued within a financial year. You will then need to pay all future instalments on time, otherwise you will be issued with either

• A final notice (and you will then lose the right to pay by instalments and the full amount will become due) or
• A summons, for the full amount together with costs

The summons

On the date of the hearing the magistrates will grant a liability order and further costs will be added to your account.

If you receive a summons you should contact a member of staff immediately so that a payment arrangement can be made. If you do not pay in full, or make an arrangement to pay, you may incur additional costs and we can take steps to recover the debt in full.

We could

• Take the payment from your income support or job seeker's allowance
• Arrange for a bailiff to collect payment, or take your belongings. This will incur additional costs
• Take action to make you bankrupt
• Request that your employer makes deductions from your salary

Once the liability order has been granted you will also receive an 'Information Request' form, which asks for details of your income. This must be fully completed and returned as failure to do so can result in prosecution, a criminal record and large fine.

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

All one stop shops are open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. In addition, Peckham one stop shop is open on Saturday, 9am to 1pm.

By email

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