What Happens If You Do Not Pay Your Council Tax
When issued annually your Council Tax bill usually asks
for payment in instalments, spread over 10 months. The date on
which you should pay is stated on your bill, this is usually the
1st of the month.
However, as an incentive to pay your bill by Direct Debit, we offer
4 different payment dates (the How To Pay Your Council Tax page
gives you full details of how to sign up for Direct Debit - our
most popular method of payment).
At any time, please contact our Council Tax Helpline on
01527
881288 to discuss the notice you have received, we may be
able to help discuss a new payment plan.
Reminder Notice
If an instalment is overdue, a reminder is issued for the amount
of the arrears. A detailed description of the reminder notice
process 
explains the actions taken and how future recovery may
be actioned.
Final Notice
If another instalment is missed then the whole balance on your
Council Tax account becomes due and a Final Notice is issued. A
detailed description of the Final Notice
process explains the decisions taken and how future recovery
action may be actioned.
The Council has the option of the following enforcement
powers.
- Request for information regarding your finances
- Payment Arrangements
- Attachment of Earnings Order
- Deductions from Benefits
- Bailiff action
- Bankruptcy proceedings
- Charging Order
- Committal to prison
