Recovery Procedures

Revenues
01276 707100
revenues@surreyheath.gov.uk

Council Tax Reminder Notice: Frequently Asked Questions

Council Tax is charged on a daily rate and normally there will be 10 instalments for a full year which starts from April through to the following March. It is important that we collect our Council Tax quickly to reduce our administration costs and to help to keep the Council Tax as low as possible. It is also important that Council Tax payments are made on time so that the delivery of vital local services can continue to be made.

When are my payments due?

Your instalments are due on the 2nd of each month (usually April 2nd to the following January 2nd).

Why Have I Received A Reminder?

Because our records show that you're monthly instalments have not been paid on time. The amount your account is overdue is shown on the front of your reminder and a summary of your account is on the reverse.

If I pay the full amount outstanding what happens next?

As long as all future instalments are paid on their due dates, no further action will be taken and no reminders will need to be sent.

What if I pay this reminder but miss another instalment date?

You will receive a maximum of two reminders in this financial year. If you then fail to keep your instalments up to date you will be sent a Final Notice, which means you will lose the right to pay by instalments and must pay the balance of the years Council Tax in full.
The number of reminders issued to you is marked on top of the notice i.e. 'First Reminder' or 'Second Reminder'

Can I pay my Council Tax at the end of every month?

The Councils instalment date is the 2nd of every month so all instalments must be paid on or before the 2nd. If you wish to make a payment at the end of the month it must still be received by the date when the instalment is due i.e. if the instalment is due on 2nd April your payment should be made at the end of March.

What if I don't pay the amount on the reminder within the timescale given?

The next action will be the issue of a court summons for the full balance of the year's Council Tax. Costs of £63.00 will be added to your account on the issue of the Summons.

I can't afford the amount due on the reminder what should I do?

The first step is to contact the Council for advice. See below for full details on how to do this. You may also like to contact the Citizens Advice Bureau on 01276 684342 or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk Opens in a new window

I am on a low income. Can I get help with my Council Tax?

You can apply for Council Tax Benefit. This is a means tested benefit that your income (including savings and the income of people who live with you) will be taken into account when assessing how much help you can receive. View the online benefit calculator. To make an application you have to complete a benefit claim form and provide evidence of your income, you can either ring 01276 707121 or apply online. Benefit can be awarded from when you apply and will not normally be backdated.

I still have a query, how do I contact the Council Tax Team?

The easiest way is to telephone on 01276 707176, between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Please note that during busy times there could be a delay in answering your call. Outside of these hours or if all lines are engaged you can leave a message on our voicemail and we will ring you back within one working day.

Alternatively you can write or e-mail to:

Surrey Heath Borough Council
Surrey Heath House
Knoll Road
Camberley
Surrey
GU15 3HD

Email: revenues@surreyheath.gov.uk

Council Tax Final Notice: Frequently Asked Questions

Why have I received a Final Notice?

Because you have missed two previous instalment dates. Council Tax instalments are due on or before the 2nd of the month. For each previous instalment date you missed you were sent a reminder. The explanatory notes sent with these reminders explained that we would only send two reminders in any financial year; for any subsequent missed instalment you would then be sent a Final Notice. Government legislation states that we only have to issue two reminders for missed payments. We can then ask for the full balance of the year's Council Tax.

What can I do if I cannot pay the full amount on the Final Notice within the timescale given?

You should contact the Council for further advice. If you do not contact us or pay the full amount by the timescale on the notice, the next action will be the issue of a Court summons for the full balance of the year's Council Tax, and costs of £63.00 will be added to your account.

If I pay the full amount outstanding what happens next?

Providing the full amount due on the Final Notice is paid within the timescale given, no further action will be taken.

If I am on a low income can I apply for Council Tax Benefit?

I still have a query, how do I contact the Council Tax Team?

Alternatively you can write or e-mail to:

Surrey Heath Borough Council
Surrey Heath House
Knoll Road
Camberley
Surrey
GU15 3HD

Email: revenues@surreyheath.gov.uk

Council Tax Summons: Frequently Asked Questions

Why have I received this summons?

Because our records show that your monthly instalments have not been paid on time. You were sent at least one reminder, but have not kept the instalments up to date. As a result, you have lost the right to pay by monthly instalments and the full balance for the financial year is now due.

Can I bring my instalments up to date?

No. You have lost the right to pay by monthly instalments and the full balance is now due. If all you do is bring your instalments up to date the Council will proceed in Court for the balance.

What shall I do if I dispute the sum due on the summons?

Contact the Surrey Heath Council Tax team on 01276 707176.

What happens if I pay the full debt on the summons, including costs?

The Council will not proceed with its Court action. If only costs are owed, the Council will still apply for a Liability Order at the Court hearing.

What happens if I do not pay the debt in full?

The Council will ask the Court to grant a Liability Order against you. This gives the Council the power to;

a. Pass the debt to the Council's bailiffs to collect, which will incur further costs
b. Ask for details of your financial situation and take deductions from your Earnings, Job Seekers Allowance or Income Support
c. Commence bankruptcy proceedings in certain cases

I cannot afford to pay the debt on the summons in full. Do I have to appear in Court?

You only have to attend the Court hearing if you wish to oppose the Council's application for a Liability Order. At this stage the Magistrates have no power to enquire into your circumstances or make a payment arrangement. Defences against the issue of the Liability Order are listed on the back of the summons. If you intend to attend the Court Hearing, please contact the Council first.

Can I make an arrangement to pay over a period of time?

Yes, contact the Council on 01276 707176 before the hearing, explain your circumstances and make your offer. Alternatively, you can complete the arrangement form enclosed with the summons and return it to the Council. The Council aims to have the Council Tax and costs paid in full before the end of the financial year (31st March). The Council will let you know if your offer of payment is acceptable. The Council will still apply for a Liability Order at the hearing, but further action after the hearing will be withheld providing you keep to the arrangement made.

If I am on a low income, can I apply for Council Tax Benefit?

I still have a query, how do I contact the Council Tax Team?

Alternatively you can write or e-mail to:

Surrey Heath Borough Council
Surrey Heath House
Knoll Road
Camberley
Surrey
GU15 3HD

Email: revenues@surreyheath.gov.uk