Council Tax
Introduction
Council Tax helps to pay for the services provided by London Borough of Bexley and the Greater London Authority. There is one bill for each home, whether it is a house, flat, bungalow, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat, and whether it is owned or rented. The bill may be reduced by entitlement to discounts or other reductions. Please read  Council Tax A Guide to your bill for further information.
Council Tax - Help Save Paper - Receive your bill by e-mail
Did you know that if all taxpayers received their Council Tax bills online
it would save 4.7 tonnes of paper? This is equivalent to 80 trees. Help save
paper by getting your Council Tax bill online. You can do this by either registering
online or
e-mailing your request
or by calling the Help Line on 0845 302 3200. If you wish to pay your Council
Tax online you can do so by clicking
here.
E-Citizen - view your Council Tax online
The 'E-Citizen' system is now available, allowing you to access your Council
Tax account and bills online, and check which Council Tax Band any address in
the borough is in. The system also allows access to NNDR (Business Rates) accounts
and Housing Benefit accounts.
Please note that the first time you access the site you will need to register and request a PIN to be sent to you by post, to protect your security, before you will be able to log in to see your Council Tax account and bills. You can access the E-Citizen system here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate the Council Tax?
The Council estimate how much is needed for Council Services for the year, ensuring that the level of expenditure is acceptable to Central Government. The Council then adds in the amount it is required to collect for the Greater London Authority and then deducts income received from Government grants and its share of the national business rates.
 Your
Council Tax 2009/10 (2.49MB, PDF file)
Council Tax Band database (Valuation Office Agency web site)
How do I pay my Council Tax?
By far the easiest and most cost effective way is by direct debit. You now
have the choice of paying by direct debit on any of the following dates: the
1st, 15th and 25th. You can set up a direct debit by either contacting the
helpline on 0845 302 3200, completing the form on the reverse
of your Council Tax bill, or you can download the Direct Debit Guarantee form
on the Council
Tax Forms page. Once completed and signed please return the form to London
Borough of Bexley, PO Box 367, Erith, DA8 1UA. You can choose to pay
monthly instalments or half yearly or in one annual payment. You will be informed
of any payment changes at least 10 working days before they are collected. You
stay in complete control and benefit from guaranteed safeguards. To find out
more about the benefits please visit the Direct
Debit for General public website.
You can also pay:
- Pay your Council Tax Online - payment can be made online using London Borough of Bexley's secure site. Please note that we only accept debit cards for Council Tax payments, not credit cards.
- Touch Tone Telephone Payment Service - Dial 020 8294 6789 and follow the instructions to make an automated payment using your touchtonetelephone. Payment can be made using your debit card. Please note, we do NOT accept credit card payments.
- By post to London Borough of Bexley, PO Box 367, Town Hall, Erith, Kent, DA8 1UA. Please make cheques payable to 'London Borough of Bexley' and either write your reference number on the reverse of your cheque or enclose a payment book slip with each payment.
- At a NatWest Bank - payment can be made by cash or cheque, free of charge at any Nat West bank within the borough. There are branches in Bexleyheath, Northumberland Heath and Sidcup.
- At a Bank or Building Society - a fee may be payable for this service. Please check before undertaking a transaction.
- By Telephone Banking - You must quote your Council Tax reference and the following Council bank details:
Sort code 51-70-14
DPSA no. 21101183
- Cash Office - Payment can be made by cash or cheque at Erith Town Hall between the hours of 8:45am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
- Post Office - Take the bill or payment book to the Post Office ensuring that you have allowed three days for the payment to reach the council's bank. PO Counters Ltd will make a standard payment charge for the transaction.
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Council Tax Levels for 2009/2010
These are the Council Tax valuation details for London Borough of Bexley for the year 2009/2010.
The Council Tax figures for each Council Tax band are :
Band |
Valuation |
Council Tax |
A |
Up to and including £40,000 |
£951.33 |
B |
£40,001 - £52,000 |
£1109.89 |
C |
£52,001 - £68,000 |
£1268.44 |
D |
£68,001 - £88,000 |
£1427.00 |
E |
£88,001 - £120,000 |
£1744.11 |
F |
£120,001 - £160,000 |
£2061.22 |
G |
£160,001 - £320,000 |
£2378.33 |
H |
More than £320,000 |
£2854.00 |
The Council Tax you have to pay relates to the band into which the Valuation Office Agency (an executive agency of HM Revenue & Customs) has placed your property according to its value at 1st April 1991.
What should I do if I think my band is too high?
Contact the Valuation Office Agency, whose address is
The Listing Officer
Valuation Office Agency
Unicorn House
28 Elmfield Road
Bromley
Kent BR1 1LR
Tel: 020 8315 2800
Website: www.voa.gov.uk
They can advise you on how to proceed. Please read A Guide to Valuation Banding and Appeals for further information.
If you make an appeal, you still have to pay your Council Tax bill based on
the current band, until the appeal is decided. More information concerning Appeals
can be found at www.valuation-tribunals.gov.uk.
Please note the Valuation Office Agency Web Site has an online facility for examining a property band.
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Am I entitled to a Council Tax discount?
General
The Council Tax is a tax made up of two parts, property (50%) and persons (50%). The full charge assumes there are two (or more) adult occupiers and discounts may be given if the property is unoccupied or if there is only one adult resident. In some cases people are 'Disregarded' that is they are treated as if they are not resident and this can give rise to a discount.
Some people have the use of two (or more) dwellings and, if so, we must decide which is their 'sole or main residence' for Council Tax purposes.
You should claim discounts when you first become eligible and if you have been given a discount you must tell us immediately if your circumstances change.
Single Person Discount
If there is only one adult occupier, you may claim a 25% discount.
Unoccupied Property
If a property is unoccupied but furnished you may claim a 10% discount. If a dwelling is unoccupied and unfurnished it is totally exempt for the first six months it is empty and unoccupied. After the 6 month exemption ends a 90% charge is payable.
Persons who are 'Disregarded' for Council Tax Purposes
Some people are 'Disregarded' for Council Tax purposes and therefore treated as if they are not resident. Because 50% of the Council Tax is made up of a person element, if some or all occupiers are 'Disregarded' a discount of up to 50% can be given.
Example 1 If a dwelling has two occupiers but one is 'Disregarded' a 25% discount is given.
Example 2 If there are two occupiers but both are 'Disregarded' a 50% discount is given.
Example 3 If there are three occupiers and one is 'Disregarded', no discount applies because there are still two occupiers for Council Tax purposes. If two were 'Disregarded', then there would only be one occupier for Council Tax purposes and a 25% discount would be given.
The commonest 'Disregards' are:
- Persons in Detention - this includes people who are detained by order of a Court, in prison, military prison, or hospital or any other place. It includes people remanded in custody. People are 'Disregarded' for the duration of their sentence. This 'Disregard' does not apply if the person is detained because of non-payment of Fines or Council Tax. A dwelling left wholly unoccupied because the Council Tax payer is detained is exempt from Council Tax.
- The Severely Mentally Impaired - A registered medical practitioner must certify that an individual is Severely Mentally Impaired. This is defined as 'a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning, however caused, which appears to be permanent'. The individual must also be entitled to one or more of the following qualifying State Benefits: Incapacity benefit; Attendance Allowance; Severe disablement allowance; Care component of disability allowance (higher or middle rate); Increase in rate of disablement pension; Disability working allowance; Unemployability allowance or supplement; Constant attendance allowance; Income Support including a disability premium; Incapacity benefit.
- Persons over 18 for whom Child Benefit is payable and School and College Leavers - A person over 18 who is not working or claiming Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance and whose parent or guardian is receiving Child Benefit for them is 'Disregarded' until they reach their 19th birthday. School and College leavers between 18 and 19 who leave school or college between 1st May and 31st October are 'Disregarded' until 31st October. People under 20 who leave school or finish a course at a Further Education College after 30th April are disregarded up to 31st October. This mainly affects single parents who would otherwise lose Single Person Discount when their child reaches 18.
- Students - Students attending full time courses at 'Prescribed Educational Establishments' in England, Wales or Scotland are 'Disregarded'. The course must last at least 24 weeks of the year and involve at least 21 hours instruction per week. 'Prescribed Educational Establishments' are basically Universities and Colleges (but not Sixth Form Colleges). A certificate from the educational establishment is required. The following are also 'Disregarded': Student Nurses, Youth Training Trainees under 25 participating in approved training schemes, and Apprentices.
- Care Workers - Are 'Disregarded' if they are employed by the Government, Councils or Charities. They must work for at least 24 hours per week and earn no more than £36 per week. They must also normally live where the care is given. Private care workers are 'Disregarded' only if they are not caring for their spouse, partner, or their child who is under 18. They must live in the same dwelling as the person being cared for and they must provide care for at least 35 hours per week on average.
The following may also be 'Disregarded':
- Hospital Patients
- Patients in residential care homes, nursing homes, mental nursing homes/hostels
- Residents of hostels for the homeless or night shelters
- Members and dependents of International Headquarters and Defence Organisations
- Members of Religious Communities
- Members and (non-British) dependents of visiting forces
- Non-British spouses of students
- Persons with diplomatic privilege or immunity
Council Tax Disabled Relief
If you are a disabled Council Tax payer, or you have a disabled person living permanently with you, you may get a reduction. The disabled person does not have to be the person who pays the council tax but can be any member of the household, including a child. For the purposes of receiving this relief a disabled person is defined in the council tax rules as a 'person who is substantially and permanently disabled'.
The reduction is awarded by treating the property as if it is in the Council Tax band immediately below the actual band. So a Band B property is treated as if it is in Band A. In the case of Band A properties, a reduction of one sixth in the base charge is allowed. The reduced base charge is then used when calculating any entitlement to Council Tax Benefit or Discounts
To qualify the property must be the sole or main residence of a person who is permanently and substantially disabled AND
- there is a room, other than a kitchen, bathroom or lavatory, in the property which is mainly used for meeting the needs of the disabled person; OR
- there is a second kitchen or bathroom which is used for meeting the needs of the disabled person (a second lavatory cannot qualify); OR
- there is sufficient floor space to permit the use of a wheelchair by the disabled person.
The following notes clarify some terms used above and illustrate situations where a reduction might be given.
Sole or Main Residence
The property must be the sole or main residence of the disabled person. No reduction can be awarded if the disabled person has their sole or main residence somewhere else and is only staying with you temporarily.
Permanently and Substantially Disabled
The disabled person must be permanently and substantially disabled by illness, injury or congenital deformity or other reason. They need not be an adult. Some conditions are progressive and, in such cases, a judgement will need to be made when a disability becomes substantial. Although it is helpful if people apply when the condition first arises, backdating will be sympathetically considered if late applications are made.
A Room (Other than a Kitchen or Bathroom or Lavatory) Mainly Used
The primary use of the room will usually have been taken over. So a room that is now mainly used for treatment or therapy or the storage of equipment used by the disabled person will qualify. In other cases, a downstairs room that has been converted to a bedroom or bedsitting room for a person who cannot manage stairs will not qualify. An upstairs room that would normally be used as a bedroom but which has been converted to a bedsitting room for a person who is mainly bedridden and only able to get about with great difficulty will not qualify. A room which has additional facilities such as extra heating or a hearing loop will not qualify. The use of a commode by a person who finds it difficult to get to a lavatory will not qualify.
Second Bathrooms and Kitchens
These do not have to be "mainly used" for meeting the needs of the disabled person, so even occasional use for meeting the disabled person's needs would be enough to qualify. A shower room is treated as a bathroom. A second lavatory is not treated as a bathroom.
Need to Use a Wheelchair Indoors
The disabled person must both need and be able to use a wheelchair indoors. So a person who normally uses a wheelchair but cannot do so indoors because corridors or doorways are too narrow will not qualify. The storage of a wheelchair indoors is not sufficient to qualify.
If you believe you are entitled to the disabled relief you should complete an application form and send it to the Council Tax Section. You will be visited by a Council Tax inspector who will normally be able to make a decision. Some cases may, however, be referred to senior staff for a decision.
If you are given disabled relief and already get Council Tax Benefit or a discount these will be recalculated on the basis of the reduced charge. You should still apply for disabled relief because you may not always get Council Tax Benefit or discount.
Application for Disabled Relief (120KB, PDF file)
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Am I entitled to a Council Tax exemption?
Exemptions For Unoccupied Properties
First six months unoccupied and unfurnished
This is the commonest Council Tax exemption. If a property is not lived in and is unfurnished then it is exempt for the first six months it is unfurnished & not lived in. After six months if the property is still not lived in a 90% unoccupied charge applies. A 90% unoccupied charge applies immediately if an unoccupied property is furnished. There is only one six month exemption and if a property is sold during this period the new owner cannot claim a further exemption. If an unoccupied property becomes occupied for less than six weeks it is treated as being continuously unoccupied.
Unoccupied and undergoing major structural alteration or repairs
If you own a property that is not lived in and is having major structural alterations done or major repairs to make it fit to live in it will be exempt for a maximum of 12 months from when the works commence. Structural alterations must be major, e.g. a big extension. Repairs must be both major and necessary to make it fit to live in. Updating and refurbishment is not enough, so if you buy a house and decide to fit a new kitchen and bathroom you will not qualify for an exemption unless you can show that the property was not fit to live in before the work started.
Unoccupied properties owned by charities
Are exempt for up to six months from the date they first become unoccupied.
Unoccupied properties left vacant by a prisoner
If a property is left unoccupied because the Council Tax payer is sent to a prison or hospital, then it will be exempt from the date they are detained until it is reoccupied. This includes people held in custody before a trial. It does not apply if the Council Tax payer has been sent to prison because of non-payment of Council Tax or fines.
Unoccupied properties left vacant by a hospital patient
If a Council Tax payer goes into hospital or a care home permanently leaving their home unoccupied, it will be exempt from Council Tax from the date they go into hospital or care home.
Unoccupied properties left vacant by the death of the Council Tax payer
If the Council Tax payer who is resident in the property dies leaving the property unoccupied, then the property will be exempt from Council Tax until six months after the date of grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, if it remains unoccupied.
Unoccupied because occupation is prohibited by law
Properties are exempt if they are unoccupied because there has been some official action to ban people from living in them. This includes when properties are unfit to live in or where occupation is forbidden by planning law (e.g. holiday homes). It does not include situations arising from action between individuals or companies.
Unoccupied but held for occupation by a Minister of Religion
This exemption applies to properties such as vicarages which may often be unoccupied from when a minister leaves until a new minister is appointed.
Unoccupied but was last occupied by a Council Tax payer who was a student
This exemption applies if a Council Tax payer was a student or becomes a student within six weeks of leaving the property. It continues while they remain a student.
Unoccupied where a mortgage company in possession
This exemption applies from date the mortgage company repossesses and continues until the property is sold or reoccupied. It does not apply in situations where people simply hand back the keys.
Unoccupied where the Council Tax payer is bankrupt
This exemption applies where the person who would be liable for the 'unoccupied charge' is a trustee in bankruptcy of the Council Tax payer who left the property unoccupied.
Unoccupied Annexe to an occupied dwelling
This exemption applies if the annex is unoccupied but is part of another dwelling, e.g. a Granny Annex, and under planning regulations it cannot be let separately from the other dwelling.
Unoccupied where the Council Tax payer resident in hospital or care home
This exemption applies where Council Tax payer was resident but now has their sole or main residence in a hospital or care home.
Unoccupied because the Council Tax payer lives elsewhere to receive care
This exemption applies where the Council Tax payer was resident but now has their sole or main residence elsewhere in order to receive care. Applies in those situations where person needs to live elsewhere to receive care e.g. with a relative, but not in a hospital or care home.
Unoccupied where Council Tax payer lives elsewhere to provide care
This exemption applies where the Council Tax payer was resident but has gone to live elsewhere to provide personal care for someone else.
Exemptions For Occupied Properties
Halls of Residence for students
Halls of residence at Universities or Colleges are exempt.
Dwellings occupied only by students, by school or college leavers or by certain non student and non British spouses/dependents of students
Such properties are exempt. A student is someone attending a Qualifying Course at a Prescribed Educational Establishment. A school or college leaver is a person aged 18-19 who left school or college between 1st May and 31st October. If the school or college leaver becomes a student by 1st November, the exemption will continue. To qualify for the exemption any non student & non British spouse/dependent must be banned from working or from claiming benefits under the terms of their Entry Visa.
Armed Force Accommodation
Any property owned by the M.O.D. for armed forces accommodation is exempt. The M.O.D. does, however, make a contribution to Councils equivalent to the Council Tax.
Dwellings occupied only by person under 18
If all the occupiers of a property are under 18 it is exempt.
Dwellings occupied only by the Severely Mentally Impaired
If all the occupiers are severely mentally impaired it is exempt.
Dwellings which are the main residence of person with diplomatic privilege or immunity
If the person who would be the Council Tax payer has diplomatic privilege or immunity the property is exempt.
Annexes occupied by dependent relatives
This exemption applies to dwellings which are occupied but are annexes to another dwelling and where the occupier of the annexe is a dependent relative of the person who is resident in the other dwelling. A dependent relative must be over 65, or Severely Mentally Impaired or Substantially and Permanently physically disabled.
If you wish to apply for a Council Tax Discount, Exemption or relief, forms are available to be downloaded, printed off and return to us by post or in person, at Council Tax form.
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Council Tax Discretionary Relief
Background
Under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as inserted by Section 76 of the Local Government Act 2003), the Council has the power to reduce liability for Council Tax in relation to individual cases or class(es) of cases that it may determine and where national discounts and exemptions cannot be applied. It says:
- Where a person is liable to pay council tax in respect of any chargeable dwelling and day, the billing authority for the area in which the dwelling is situated may reduce the amount which he is liable to pay as respects the dwelling and the day to such extent as it thinks fit.
- The power under subsection 1) above includes the power to reduce an amount to nil
- The power under subsection 1) may be exercised in relation to particular cases or by determining a class of case in which liability is to be reduced to an extent provided by the determination.
There are financial implications to awarding any discounts other than those currently available under the statutory legislation and the financial burden of Section 13A discounts has to be met through an increase in the general level of Council Tax for other payers.
Statement of objectives
As a consequence of this the Council will only consider using its powers to reduce Council Tax liability for any Council Tax payer or class of payer in exceptional circumstances. The Council will treat all applications on their individual merits, however some or all of the following criteria should be met for each case:
- There must be evidence of financial hardship or personal circumstances that justifies a reduction in Council Tax liability
- The taxpayer must satisfy the Council that all reasonable steps have been taken to resolve their situation prior to application
- The customer has applied for Council Tax Benefit. The benefits system exists to ensure that those on low incomes receive financial assistance with their Council Tax
- All other eligible discounts/reliefs have been awarded
- The taxpayer does not have access to other assets that could be used to pay Council tax
- Can the situation be resolved by some other legitimate means. If it can it is unlikely that an award will be made
- The Council’s finances allow for a reduction to be made
- The situation and reason for the application must be outside of the taxpayer’s control
- The amount outstanding must not be the result of wilful refusal to pay or culpable neglect
- In the case of an unoccupied property it must not be the sole or main residence of a taxpayer
As a consequence of this the power to reduce under this section should only be applied in exceptional circumstances.
Claiming Discretionary Relief
-
Requests for reductions in Council Tax liability will be required in writing from the taxpayer, their advocate/appointee or a recognised third party acting on their behalf
- The application should relate to the current council tax year, unless the liable person has just received an account following late valuation for a previous year(s)
- The Council may request any reasonable evidence in support of an application
Review of decision
Under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, there is no right of appeal against the Council’s use of discretionary powers. However, the Council will accept a customer’s written request for a further review of its decision. The Council will then consider whether the customer has provided any additional information against the required criteria that will justify a change to its decision.
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What should I do if someone dies?
We understand that there are a lot of things to do when someone dies.
The earlier you contact us after someone dies, the sooner we can adjust their council tax account. We will need to know:
- the date the person died (please provide a copy of the death certificate);
- whether the person who died was a tenant or the owner of the property;
- the name and address of the executor or solicitors;
- the date furniture is removed from the property;
- the date probate is granted, if applied for;
- the date of any subsequent sale or transfer into the beneficiaries names, and the purchaser(s) details.
If you are the executor or administrator of the estate, and the deceased person’s property is unoccupied, you won't have to pay council tax whilst Probate or Letters of Administration are being sought, and thereafter for six months following the date of the grant. If the property remains unoccupied after this period a 90% charge will apply.
You can print a Property
Exemption (130KB, PDF file) form
and post it back to us.
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Council Tax Benefit
Council Tax Benefit is the name of the Government scheme for helping people with a low income meet the cost of their Council Tax. If you want to check whether you may be eligible for Council and/or Housing Benefit there is a quick web calculator available at the following address: www.entitledto.co.uk
If you are on income support, job seekers allowance, or on a low income with
less than £16,000, in capital, you may be eligible for Council Tax Benefit.
However even if the above does not apply to you but you have a second adult living
in your home who is on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or on a low income
you may be able to claim Second Adult Rebate.
This also applies to tenants living in rented accommodation.
Applications Forms are available from Erith
Town Hall, Erith and Civic Offices,
Bexleyheath or you can download an application form (1.9MB, PDF file).
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What Happens if I fail to Pay?
Reminder Notice
If you do not pay the amount requested on the due date a reminder notice will be sent. You must pay the amount on the reminder within 7 days. If you do not pay the amount on the reminder you will no longer have the right to pay by instalments and the full balance of the year's Council Tax will be payable. This balance must be paid within another 7 days otherwise proceedings will be initiated.
Summons
If you do not pay the required amounts the Council will apply to the local Magistrates Court for a summons with costs. If you pay the full amount, including costs, before the Court date the action will stop.
The Court has no power to consider requests for payment arrangements. If you wish to discuss payment of the summons you should telephone the Council's Helpline on 0845 302 3200 on receipt of the summons. If an arrangement is agreed the Council will still apply for a liability order but no further action will be taken if the arrangement is kept to.
There is no need for you to attend Court unless you wish to contest the matter. If you are thinking of contesting the matter at Court the following may be considered as legal defences:
- bills and reminders have not been sent. However please remember that the Council does not have to prove that you have received notices and it is not enough for you to assert they have not been received.
- payment in full was received by the Council before the summons was sent. If you pay after the summons is sent but before you receive it you remain liable for the costs and we may go on to obtain a Liability Order even if only the summons costs are due.
- the summons is in the wrong name. This does not include minor mistakes of spelling or title.
- the debt is subject to bankruptcy proceedings.
If you think you have a legal defence you should contact us well before the hearing. In most cases we will be able to resolve your query and avoid the need to attend Court.It is not a defence to say that you have money problems or that you should have Council Tax Benefit or a discount or exemption. It is also not a defence to say the tax is unfair or your property band is wrong. The Court will not hear arguments about such matters. If you do not have a legal defence we suggest you consider carefully before giving up your time to attend Court.
If the summons is not paid the Council will ask the Court to grant a liability order. If the Court is satisfied that the summons is payable and has not been paid it is required to make a liability order. The Court cannot refuse to grant a liability order even if you have outstanding applications for benefit, discount, exemption or the banding of your property is in dispute.
Once the Council has obtained a liability order and unless you have come to an agreed payment arrangement a notice will be sent to you of how much the liability is for. This notice will require you, by law, to provide details of your employment or benefit details. Failure to supply such information is a criminal offence punishable by a substantial fine.
Action after Liability Order granted
The Liability Order gives the Council the following ways to collect the debt.
- Attachment Of Earnings - This allows the Council to have money deducted by your employer direct from your net earnings and paid over to the Council. Net earnings are earnings after the deduction of income tax, primary Class 1 National Insurance contributions, superannuation contributions and any deduction with a higher priority. Earnings do not include Working Families Tax Credit or Tax Credits within the meaning of the Tax Credits Act 2002.
- Attachment of Benefit - Attachments can only be made from Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, and Pension Credit. The amount that will be deducted is £3.05 per week (April 2008). From 1 October 2008, Employment Support Allowance, which includes Incapacity Benefit, can also be attached.
- Bailiff Action - If no arrangement has been made or it is not possible to collect the Council Tax debt from your earnings or benefit the debt will be passed to Bailiffs for collection. This can add considerable extra costs to the arrears which you will be liable to pay. For the current charges click here (10KB, PDF file). The bailiff will expect payment in full immediately. If you are unable to do this the bailiff has three options:-
a. they can agree a walking possession agreement with you. This means they will levy distress (distress is the seizure of goods and possessions in order to settle the outstanding debt and costs incurred) up to the value of the arrears but also agree a payment arrangement with you. The goods will not be removed for sale provided that you maintain the payments.
b. they can take close possession of your goods. This means they levy distress and remain on the premises until payment in full is received or the goods are removed for sale.
c. they can remove goods immediately to be sold to repay the arrears.
- Charging Order - The Council may make an application for a charge to be put on your property so that the debt is paid out of the proceeds of the sale. The application will include substantial costs of the application, together with interest on the amount outstanding until the debt is paid. The Council may also take proceedings for the sale of the property and use any profit from the sale to pay the outstanding arrears.
- Application for Committal to Prison - This action is only taken when the bailiffs have tried unsuccessfully to levy distress (seize goods). Before deciding whether to commit you to prison the Magistrates must hold an enquiry into your conduct and means and will issue a summons, with further costs, so that you are present at the Court. If you do not attend the court hearing in answer to the summons an application will be made for a warrant with costs for your arrest.
If the Court decide that your non payment is due to willful refusal or culpable neglect they have the power to send you to prison for a maximum period of 3 months. The Court may decide to fix a term of imprisonment but postpone issuing the warrant of commitment provided that you make payments as ordered by the court.
- Statutory Demand For Bankruptcy - The Council may issue a statutory demand for you to be declared bankrupt. This action may put your home and other assets at risk.
Further information on Council Tax and managing your finances can be found on the central government website Directgov. |
