What happens if you do not pay your Council Tax?

• The first and second times that you pay late, you will receive reminders.
• If you do not pay the reminder or make a payment arrangement, you will receive a summons to a magistrates' court hearing where we will ask them magistrates to grant a liability order.  This will mean additional costs will be added to the amount you owe.
• If you are late three times in the financial year, you will receive a final notice.  This means you have lost the right to pay by instalments and will have to pay the full amount of your remaining council tax for the year.
• If you do not pay the final notice amount in full or make a payment arrangement, you will receive a magistrates' court summons including costs.
• If the full amount including the costs, is not paid before the hearing, we will ask the magistrates to grant a liability order.
• If a liability order is granted, we will take further recovery actions unless you agree an arrangement with us to pay.  These recovery actions may include:
  • Attachment of earnings.
  • Attachment of benefits.
  • Passing the debt to enforcement agents (previously known as bailiffs) to collect the debt on our behalf.
  • Charging Order.
  • Bankruptcy.
  • Committal.

Problems paying your Council Tax