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.
If you're on a 10 monthly instalment plan please refer to your bill to find out when your instalments commence and finish.
Pay by Direct Debit
Direct Debit is the quickest, safest and easiest way to pay your Council Tax.
It takes just 5 minutes to set up, there are safeguards built in to protect you and it's the only method of 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 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
In most cases when you sign up for Direct Debit we can take your details with just one call to our contact centre. Ring us between Monday to Friday 8am-6pm and have your bank account details ready (branch sort code and account number).
Pay by Direct Debit - ring 0300 303 8870
Or complete and return to us the Council Tax Direct Debit application form (67kb pdf)
Other ways to pay your Council Tax
Online payment: You can use your credit or debit card to pay your bill.
Pay your Council Tax online.
Pay by Pingit: You can use the Pingit app on your mobile device to send us a payment. Simply open the app and scan the QR code on the front of your bill to make a quick and easy payment with no need to enter your card details. For more information about the app go to
Pingit
By telephone and debit/credit card: To use this option, phone our automated payments line on 01706 926180 with your debit card 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.
Who's responsible for paying the bill?
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.