Council Tax arrears? Step guide to taking action..

Remember you can ask for direct deductions from benefits

If you get income support, jobseeker's allowance or pension credit, you can ask for repayments to your arrears to be made directly from your benefit. If the rate of deduction is high, negotiate for lower payments.

STAGE 1: Check your bill

If you think the amount is wrong, or if you believe you have made a payment that has not been taken into account, you can ask the council to check. You must continue paying the amounts due until the matter is resolved.

STAGE 2: If you miss ONE payment

  • the Council will send you a REMINDER giving you 7 days to make the payment
  • If you do not you will receive a Final Noticeasking you to pay the outstanding amount for the rest of the year. You will lose your right to pay monthly instalments.
  • If you do make the payment within 7 days but miss a later payment the same reminder will be sent and the same process will be followed. If you’re late a third time, you will lose your right to pay in monthly instalments – and no reminder will be sent. You will move to STAGE 3.

STAGE 3:If you do not pay the full amount within 14 days:

  • the Council can get a SUMMARY WARRANT
  • You will not be notified in advance but will receive notice when the summary warrant has been granted by the Sheriff Court.
  • You now need to contact the Sherriff officers (Scott and Co. in Edinburgh) to arrange repayment. There will be a penalty of 10% added to the amount you owe.
  • When making arrangements to pay you may need to give details of money coming in and out each month. Try to work out your budget and how much you can afford in advance. It is important that you make a realistic offer so as to be sure to maintain payments.

STAGE 4: If a repayment arrangement is still not agreed:

Sheriff officers can ask for any of the following information. If you don’t co-operate within 14 days you can be fined: Name and address of employer; your national insurance number; your bank account details; the name and address of anyone else who is liable to pay your council tax with you

STAGE 5: What if I still don’t make payments?

The council can obtain a Charge for Payment which allows them to take further action if you do not apply for time to pay (which would allow you to make a repayment plan and prevent the sheriff officers taking further action). However, if the charge for payment expires (after 14 days) and you still have not made payments, the sheriff officers may seek to:

  • Take money from your bank accounts
  • Freeze your bank accounts
  • Arrest your earnings;
  • Remove belongings from your home or outwith (eg your car) and sell them – however there are clear rules about what property can and cannot be removed. Speak to your advisor if you’ve been threatened with this action.
  • Make you bankrupt if your arrears are more than £3,000 in total
  • Place an inhibition on your property if you are a homeowner