Council Tax is money paid by tenants, home owners and others that occupy property, to the local Authority to help towards paying for all the services the Council provides within their area. The amount you pay will depend on the size of the property you live in, where you live, and the number of people in your property.

It is very important to pay your Council Tax on time.  It is illegal not to pay your Council Tax. 

You can pay your Council Tax in monthly instalments in any of the following ways:
Direct Debit – telephone to set up a direct debit, visit the website to download a form, or collect a form from the Council Offices.
Standing Order – telephone to find out the information needed to quote to your bank.
Telephone – payments can be made by credit or debit card by telephone
Internet – visit local Council website to pay online using a credit or debt card
Payment card – used to pay by cash or credit/debit card at post offices and shops displaying the Payzone sign, and by cheque at post offices
By post – cheques and postal orders made payable to your local District Council.






If you are a single person living alone you can claim for a Single Person’s Discount by telephoning your District Council (see Useful Contacts & Advice section).


Council Tax Benefit

If you are on a low income or are receiving state benefits, you may be able to get help with the payments.  Your claim for Council Tax Benefit will depend on your status in the UK, eligibility to receive benefits, income and family circumstances.

You can find out if you are eligible to receive Council Tax benefit by contacting the Revenues and Benefits team at your local District Council offices or the Citizens Advice Bureau (see  Useful Contacts & Advice section.)


Application forms are available from the Jobcentre Plus or your local District Council offices. They are also available for download from your local District Council’s website.


If you have any difficulty completing the forms, you can contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for assistance (see Useful Contacts & Advice section).