Debt Advice
If you are struggling to pay your council tax, please contact us. There are a number of ways we may be able to help, including working out a payment plan.
Worried about debts or have missed payments? There is free, confidential, and independent debt advice available. Further information can be found on our Debt advice page. Note this will open in a new window.
Remember that paying by Direct Debit ensures that your payments are made on time every month. We can also arrange for you to pay this way over the telephone.
Spread your payments
To make your bill more affordable during this difficult time you can change your payment plan from 10 to 12 monthly instalments (April to March).
Change your payment plan online.
Change your direct debit
You can change when your direct debit comes out. Select whether you want to pay on the 1st, 8th, 15th or 22nd of the month.
Amend your existing Direct Debit arrangement online.
We may be able to reduce what you have to pay, for example you may qualify for a discount that you didn't know about, or you may qualify for Council Tax Reduction.
Council Tax Reduction
Council Tax Reduction (CTR) helps towards paying Council Tax. It is now a local reduction scheme decided by local councils and is not a benefit payment. Any CTR you are awarded will reduce the amount of Council Tax you have to pay. You could receive help if you are on a low income, if you are working and in addition to any Universal Credit you may be entitled to.
Use our calculator to find out if you qualify for Council Tax Reduction
There is also a Discretionary Financial Assistance (DFA) scheme. For information please read our DFA Guide (PDF).
If you are having payment difficulties you can contact us online, simply click on the button below:
What happens if you don't pay?
If you do miss a Council Tax payment there are several steps which the Council will take to remind you that you need to pay.
If we don't know that you are having problems paying, we may take legal action to recover the money which could result in you having to pay a lot more.
Find out more on the Council Tax reminders and summons page.