Council Tax Frequently Asked
Questions
Why
do I have to pay Council Tax?
Council Tax is
your contribution to the many services provided by the council such
as education, libraries, police and fire services, leisure centres,
planning, bus passes, street lighting and refuse collection.
Where do I pay my
Council
Tax?
At one of our Payment Offices.
How can I pay my
Council
Tax?
Payment details are on the How to
Pay information
page.
Can I pay my
Council Tax by Direct
Debit?
Yes, monthly payments can be made by Direct Debit. You can
choose to pay on the 1st, 8th, 15th or 22nd of the month. Further
details and an application form are on the Direct Debit information page.
Can I pay my Council Tax by Debit or
Credit Card?
Yes, you can pay monthly and half-yearly
payments by debit or credit card. But, if you pay less than
the charge for the full or half-year by credit card, there is
a charge of 1.75% of the payment. There is no charge for
payments by debit card. We can accept
Online Payments by debit and credit card.
Do I qualify
for any Council Tax
discount?
The full council tax bill is based on
the assumption that two adults live in the property. If only one
adult resides there then the bill is reduced by a quarter (25%). If
no-one lives there as their main home then the
bill is reduced by half (50%). When bills are calculated certain
people are disregarded. Further details and application forms are
on the Discounts information
page.
My partner is a member of
the armed forces/works away/ works abroad and only comes home
occasionally. Can I claim one adult
discount?
No -
Your address will still be classed as their main
residence because there is an intention to return.
My friend is coming to stay
for a month's holiday. Am I still entitled to one adult
discount?
Yes - Your friend will not be
considered as having changed his/her main residence and so
your discount will not be affected.
I am
disabled. Will my Council Tax be
reduced?
If your
home has certain features necessary for your well-being
because of your disability then you may qualify for disabled
relief. Further details and an application form are on the
Disabled Relief information
page.
What help can I get with my
Council Tax?
There are ways you
may be able to reduce the amount of Council Tax you have to pay.
Details can be found on the following information pages:
Why have you sent me a
reminder?
Council Tax is payable by monthly instalments
(normally 10 for a full year). You have received a reminder
because according to the Council's records you have not made the
monthly payment in accordance with the instalments as indicated on
your latest Council Tax demand.
The outstanding payment on your reminder can be
brought up to date and you may then continue to pay monthly
instalments. You should however be aware that we only have to
send you two reminders during the year, and we can start recovery
action after only one reminder. If you miss another
instalment you will lose the right to pay monthly and the total
balance for the year becomes due immediately.
Why have I received a summons for
the whole year, when I have until March to pay?
You do not have until March to pay your Council Tax
bill. By law, Council Tax is payable by monthly instalments,
normally April to January. Because you have not paid your
instalments on time and you have not complied with the request on
the reminder and/or final notice you have been sent you have lost
the right to pay this years Council Tax monthly. The full
balance of Council Tax as shown on the summons is therefore due and
payable before the hearing date as detailed.
Why have I incurred costs to my
account?
The Council have incurred additional expense in
preparing and issuing a summons for non-payment. The costs charged
(which have been agreed with the local Magistrates Court) cover
those expenses and also the expense of laying the complaint and the
cost of the hearing. Both the reminder and the final notice
detailed that costs could be incurred to your account if the
required payments were not made.
What if I don't pay the full amount of
the summons?
If you do not pay the amount due including the
costs, or contact the Council, then the case will be dealt with in
your absence and the Court will issue a Liability Order which will
incur further costs. This order allows the Council to collect the
outstanding Council Tax by various methods including deductions
from earnings or Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance, the use of
bailiffs, bankruptcy or a charging order against the property.
These methods will not be used if a suitable payment schedule is
arranged with the Recovery Section, and the agreed payments are
maintained. However, making an arrangement will not prevent the
Liability Order being granted or the extra costs being
incurred.
Please note that the Court are not able to take
account of your financial situation or discuss payment with you. If
you agree that you owe Council Tax there is no need for you to
attend at the Court.
You only need to appear if you have a valid
defence to put to the Magistrates as to why you consider you are
not liable. It is easier to sort out any relevant matters
before the hearing by contacting the
Recovery
Section. If you still wish to attend at the Court you
should contact the Recovery Section direct stating the reason why
you wish to attend.
The issue of a Liability Order by the Magistrates
Court in no way blacklists you or the property.
a.
Attachment of Earnings
Order - your employer is instructed
to deduct a percentage of your net pay until
the amount on the Liability Order is paid in full.
b.
Deductions from Income Support/Job
Seekers Allowance - a
request
is sent to the Benefits Agency asking them to make
weekly
deductions from your Benefit and pay them directly to the
Council until
the amount on the Liability Order is paid in full.
c.
Distress - an
appointed bailiff acting on behalf of the Council will be
instructed to attend at you address to collect the
outstanding balance of
Council Tax and costs and also any costs incurred by the
bailiff in the
process of trying to collect the amount due.
d.
Bankruptcy - an application is
made to the County Court for you to be
made personally bankrupt with regards to Council Tax and
associated
costs.
e.
Charging Order - an
application is made to the County Court for a
charge
to be registered against the property with regards
to Council Tax
and associated costs.
Any more
questions?
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