What happens if I can't pay my Council Tax?

Key deadlines

• Missed a payment: you get a reminder and 7 days to pay.
• You can only get 2 reminders a year (1 April to 31 March). Miss a third time and you get a final notice asking for the whole year's bill.
• If you still do not pay, the council can go to a magistrates' court for a liability order.

Act before each deadline. Every step makes the debt harder to deal with and can add costs.

What happens, step by step

1. Reminder notice. You get 7 days to catch up.
2. Second reminder. Sent if you miss another payment in the same year.
3. Final notice. Sent if you miss a third time. It asks for the full year's Council Tax.
4. Liability order. This is a legal demand for payment from a magistrate. The council's legal costs may be added to what you owe.
5. Collecting the debt. The council can then take money from your wages or benefits, or send bailiffs.
6. Court. As a last step, the council can take you to court. In England, if the court decides you refused to pay without a good reason, you can be sent to prison for up to 3 months. In Wales, councils lost the power to ask for prison for Council Tax debt from 1 April 2019.

How the council can take money

What to do now

1. Contact your council straight away. Explain what has happened and what you can afford.
2. Ask to spread payments over 12 months instead of 10. This makes each payment smaller.
3. Check for money off. You may get Council Tax Reduction if you are on a low income or get benefits, or a discount, for example 25% off if you live alone.
4. Keep paying what you can and keep a note of every call and letter.
5. Open every letter. A reminder gives you only 7 days to act.

What to include when you contact the council

• Your Council Tax account number (it is on your bill)
• Why you missed payments, such as a job loss or illness
• What you can afford each month
• Whether your household or income has changed, as you may be paying too much

Free help

Citizens Advice can help you deal with the council and work out a budget. MoneyHelper, which is backed by the government, also gives free debt guidance. In Scotland and Wales, Citizens Advice has local services too. Never pay for debt help you can get free.

If you have missed the deadline

It is still worth contacting the council, even after a liability order. You may still be able to agree a payment plan. If bailiffs have written to you, they must usually give you at least 14 days' notice before their first visit, so use that time to agree a plan.

If you live in Scotland

• The process is different. After a missed payment you get a reminder to catch up within 7 days. After a third missed payment you get a final notice to pay the full balance.
• If you still do not pay, the council can add 10% to what you owe and ask a sheriff officer to take the money from your wages or bank account.
• Citizens Advice Scotland gives free help on 0800 028 1456.

Related guides

• What is a Council Tax liability order?
• Can I get help paying Council Tax on a low income?
• What can bailiffs do when they visit?
• What is Breathing Space?
• Can I pay Council Tax in 12 monthly payments?

Where this comes from

• GOV.UK: Council Tax arrears
• GOV.UK: Paying the right level of Council Tax, a plain English guide
• GOV.UK: bailiff powers when they visit your home
• mygov.scot: If you cannot pay your Council Tax
• Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2019