Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council
Tel: 024 7637 6376
Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

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Nuneaton Town Hall
Coton Road, Nuneaton,
Warwickshire, CV11 5AA

Bedworth Area Office
High Street, Bedworth,
Warwickshire, CV12 8NF

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Council Tax Debt Recovery

Council Tax is normally payable over ten monthly instalments from April to January each year. There are a number of payment methods which allow you to pay your bill.

What if I have trouble paying the bill?

As soon as you realise you have a problem paying your bill you should talk to the Council as you may be entitled to a reduction in your bill, for example, through council tax benefit.

What if I don't pay?

If you miss a Council Tax instalment you will get a reminder notice giving you seven days to bring your payments up to date. If you do not do so within the time, or if after a second reminder you fall behind with your payments again, you will have to pay the outstanding balance of your Council Tax bill (i.e. the full amount for the rest of the year). If the full balance is not paid, the Council will take further recovery action.

What further action will the council take?

The Council will apply to the local Magistrates' Court for a liability order. You will be sent a summons advising you of the court date at which the Magistrates will consider the application and the amount the Council is seeking to recover. This will be for the outstanding amount of Council Tax plus the cost to the Council of making the application.

The Council will try to come to a reasonable arrangement with you for payment but they cannot do that unless you contact us. If you make an arrangement and stick to it, you will avoid any further recovery costs.

What powers does a liability order give the Council?

If a liability order is granted by the Court, the Council can demand certain information from you about your employment and earnings to help them decide how to recover the debt. You are legally required to give the Council this information. The main options for recovery are as follows;

Attachment of earnings orders
The Council can order your employer to recover the amount direct from your wages or salary and pay it straight to the Council. The amount will be a set proportion of your pay after certain other deductions, such as Income Tax and National Insurance. Your employer may also deduct a further £1 towards their costs in making each deduction and sending it to the Council.

Deductions from Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or Pension Credit
If you are receiving any of the above benefits, the Council can ask for a deduction to be made from your benefit at a rate determined by the Government. The amount deducted is up-rated each year in line with the increase in benefit allowances.

Distress
The Council can employ bailiffs to recover the debt. The charges involved are set out in legislation - they can be quite considerable and you will be held liable for them. It is advisable to avoid matters reaching this stage if you can. If you are unable to pay the outstanding debt in full the bailiff has three options;

agree a walking possession agreement with you. Your goods will not be removed so long as you meet the payment arrangements agreed with the bailiff
take close possession of your goods by staying on the premises until payment is made or the goods are removed for sale
remove the goods with a view to their sale

Other options for enforcement action include bankruptcy proceedings, and, for a debt of £1000 or more, a charging order may be sought whereby the Council may apply to a County Court for a charge on the debtor's property.

What if I am still unable to pay?

If the Council has been unsuccessful in collecting your council tax using all the usual methods of recovery, it can apply to the Magistrates' Court for your committal to prison for up to 90 days. Before issuing a warrant, the Court must hold a means enquiry with you present.

If you are having problems paying your Council Tax please contact the Recovery Office on 024 7637 6530 as soon as possible.

Monday 21 May 2012