We understand that there may be times when you struggle to make your Council Tax payments.
If you are having difficulty paying your Council Tax bill, let us know as soon as possible. We may be able to help. If possible, don’t stop paying. Instead, pay as much as you can afford to bring the balance down and contact us.
Council Tax is known as a priority debt and ranks above loan repayments, telephone bills, TV subscriptions, etc. If you don’t keep up your payments you can be sent to prison.
We can look at ways to help you to make payments and keep the outstanding amount down. You might be able to change when or how you pay, apply for Council Tax support or see if you are eligible for any discounts or exemptions.
Change how you pay your bill
Move to Direct Debit
Setting up a Direct Debit can help you manage your payments and it gives you the option to pay on a fixed date every month.
You can set up a Direct Debit online using My Account.
Once you have activated your Council Tax account, follow the link to set up a Direct Debit.
Increase the number of payments
You can choose to spread your payments over 12 months instead of 10 months. You must advise us in advance that you want to do this. Your last instalment of each bill will always be made in the last month of the financial year, i.e. March.
The number of instalments will reduce based on the number of months left in the year.
You can do this using My Account.
Discounts and exemptions
Some people qualify for a reduction on their Council Tax bill. Make sure that you are receiving all of the discounts or exemptions you are entitled to.