Rochdale Borough Council

You'll need to have a MyAccount to set up your Direct Debit online.

1. Sign in or register for MyAccount using the link below.
2. Add your Council Tax account, if you haven't already done so. You'll need your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill. You'll also need to answer a few security questions.
3. From your online Council Tax account, follow the link for Direct Debit set up.
4. Have your bank or building society details ready (account holder name, bank or building society name, account number, sort code).

In most cases when you sign up for Direct Debit we can take your details with just one call to our contact centre. You can call us Monday-Friday 8.30am-5.30pm to set up your Direct Debit. We're closed for training on Monday between 11am-11.30am.

Before you call, you'll need to have ready:

1. Your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill.
2. Your bank or building society details (account holder name, bank or building society name, account number, sort code)

Your Council Tax is normally payable in 10 monthly instalments, April to January. You can also pay your Council Tax over 12 instalments. The number of instalments you pay and the month they start will depend on when you sign up to pay by Direct Debit.

Direct Debit is the only payment where you can choose from the following payment dates:

• Weekly on a Friday
• Fortnightly on a Friday
• Every 4 weeks on a Friday
• 10 monthly normally during April to January on 1, 9, 15, 19 or 25 of the month
• 12 monthly on 9, 15, 19 or 25 of the month
• Quarterly on 9 April, 9 July, 9 October and 9 January
• Half yearly on 9 April and 9 October
• Annually on 9 April

You can view or change your Direct Debit payment date at any time using MyAccount.

If you don't have an account already, you'll need to register and add your Council Tax account. You'll need your 8 digit Council Tax reference number which you can find on your bill.

View or change your payment dates (opens in a new window)

Council Tax instalments, which aren't paid by Direct Debit, are due on or before the 10th of each month. You need to make your payments on time to avoid receiving reminders.

You can view your Council Tax balance online to see how much you owe.

O​nline payment: you can use your credit or debit card to pay your bill. Pay your Council Tax online.

​​​By telephone using debit or credit card: to use this option, phone our automated payments line on 0300 456 0496 with your card details and Council Tax reference number to hand. Lines are open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Payment at Post Offices and PayPoint outlets: you can pay at any Post Office or PayPoint outlet, but you must always present your bill or document with a barcode on when making your payment. It usually takes up to 3 working days for us to receive your payment. If you pay by cheque at the Post Office then your cheque should be made payable to 'Post Office Ltd'. This service is free.

If you're over 18 and live in a property, you may have to pay Council Tax.

The list below will help you work out who's liable to pay. The person who fits the highest position on the list is the one who usually has to pay.

• Someone who owns and lives in their home (freeholder);
• Someone who has a lease and has a legal right to live in a property for a fixed period of time;
• A private tenant or a tenant of a registered social landlord;
• Anyone who lives in the property with the permission of any of the above;
• Someone who lives in the property without permission (this includes squatters); or
• The owner if the property is empty. 

If more than one person appears in the same position in the list above, they're all responsible. You get one bill between you but you're all equally responsible for paying the whole bill. This doesn't apply if you're a full-time student or severely mentally impaired.

If you're still unsure about who's responsible for paying the bill, contact us.