warning signDue to essential maintenance our telephone system will be unavailable for around 10 minutes at 6pm today (Monday 18 March 2024). If you need to contact the emergency housing repairs service or emergency homeless line during this time please call 0800 018 6050.  ×

Paying your Council Tax bill

Online

Pay online 

Direct Debit

To set up a Direct Debit online you will need:

  • To be a named account holder of the account you want to use

  • To be the only person needed to authorise a Direct Debit on that account

Set up a Direct Debit online

If you cannot confirm these two, you can download, print and post the Direct Debit forms.

Once set up there is no need to tell your bank about changes in the amounts due. We will always tell you in advance the date and amount to be taken, and you are fully protected from errors by an indemnity scheme, known as the Direct Debit Guarantee.

You can also find out more about what Direct Debit is and how it works on the Direct Debit website.

When to pay

Council Tax is normally paid in ten monthly instalments on 1 April and on the first day of each month until 1 January. Alternatively, you can request to pay on the 15th or 25th of each month.

If you pay by Direct Debit you can currently choose to make payments on either the 1st, 10th or 21st day of the month. 

You also have the right to pay in 12 monthly instalments. You can ask for this by email, phone or by writing to us.

If your bill is issued after 1 April, you will pay fewer instalments.

Your payment dates are shown on the front of your Council Tax bill. If you do not keep to the dates, we may cancel your right to pay by instalments. We would then take action to collect all of the year's Council Tax that you hadn't already paid.

If you are having difficulty making payments on the correct dates, please get in touch with us straight away.

Alternative ways to pay

Expand all

  • Telephone payments

    You may make a payment over the telephone with a debit card or credit card by using our 24-hour automated telephone service. Please call 03453 706070. Have your card details, and personal Council Tax account number available.

  • At the bank

    You can pay by bank giro credit at any bank. Fill in a bank giro credit voucher and take it along with your payment.

    If you are not an account holder at the bank, you may be charged a fee. Please make sure your personal Council Tax account number is written on the slip. If not, we may be unable to credit this money to your account.

    Our bank details are:

    NatWest Bank
    9 Bank Court
    Hemel Hempstead
    Hertfordshire
    HP1 1BS

    Sort code: 60-10-33
    Account number: 12442704

    Please always quote your personal Council Tax account number.

    Also, please remember that payments made through the banking system can take up to seven working days to reach your account, therefore payments should be made in good time to arrive by the due date.

  • Post Office and PayPoint

    You can use the barcode on your Council Tax bill to make payments at any Post Office or PayPoint outlet.

    The amount you should pay is detailed on your Council Tax bill. Please remember to amend your payments in line with any new bill that you receive.

    If you lose your Council Tax bill, please contact the Council Tax team to order a new one.

    Always take your bill with you when you make a payment, as you will not be able to make payment without it. The barcode on the top of the bill will need to be scanned to provide the correct payment details.

Page Last Updated: Monday, 18 March 2024 at 12:00 PM