Rother District Council

This page explains what happens if Council Tax is not paid on time

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

Bills & Reminders

The bill you have been sent will show the instalments payable and the date the payment must be received by the Council, which is normally the 8th of the month. If you miss a payment or payment is late, we will take action to recover the money.

A reminder notice will be issued for any unpaid instalment. The overdue amount must then be paid.  If you bring your account up to date within seven days of the reminder your monthly instalments will continue as shown on your bill.

If the overdue amount is not paid within seven days, a Final Notice will be sent, you will lose the right to pay by instalments and the full amount remaining becomes payable.  No further reminders will be sent.  If the full amount is not then paid, a Magistrates Court summons will be issued and costs of £80.00 will be added to the Council Tax that is due.

If a further instalment is not paid on time, another reminder will be sent.   Again, if you bring your account up to date within seven days of this reminder your monthly instalments will continue as shown on your bill.

If  the overdue amount is not paid, a Final Notice will be sent, you will lose the right to pay by instalments and the full amount remaining becomes payable.  No further reminders will be sent.  If the full amount is not then paid, a Magistrates Court summons will be issued and costs of £80.00 will be added to the Council Tax that is due.

If you bring your account up to date after the second reminder but do not pay as shown on your bill for the third time, a Final Notice will be sent and you will lose the right to pay by instalments and the full amount becomes payable.   If this overdue amount is not paid in full a Magistrates Court summons will be issued and costs of £80.00 will be added to the Council Tax that is due.

If the Magistrates then agree to issue a Liability Order, further costs of £20.00 will be incurred. See the section on 'Council Tax Summonses' for more information.

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