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If 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 discount or exemption and make an application
Consider whether you are entitled to council tax benefit or second adult rebate
Contact the council tax section to explain your problems and agree a revised payment arrangement

You should not ignore bills and reminders.

To discuss council tax arrears, please contact the council tax recovery team on 020 7525 0375.

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
Summons, for the full amount together with costs.

The summons

A summons will request that the full outstanding balance be paid before a scheduled liability order hearing at the magistrates court.

If you are unable to pay this balance prior to the hearing you should contact the council tax recovery team immediately on 020 7525 0375 so that a payment arrangement can be made. If you do not pay in full or make an arrangement to pay, the magistrate will grant a liability order in respect of the debt and further costs will be added to your account.

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.