What happens if I don't pay?

If you have problems paying your Council Tax it is important that you contact us straight away. We may be able to help you reduce the amount you have to pay by applying for discounts, exemptions or Council Tax Benefit. We can discuss a suitable payment arrangement with you where appropriate, usually payable by Direct Debit. Remember, paying by Direct Debit ensures that your payments are made on time.

Council Tax payments should be paid by the due date for each instalment. Late payment  means the Council has difficulty in providing its services and paying the Essex County Council and Essex Police their share.

If you are late with your payments we will send you a reminder notice. Only 2 reminders will be issued in any financial year. If you do not pay the reminder notice within the required timescale a final notice will be issued confirming that you have lost the right to pay by instalments and the full amount then becomes due.

If you do not pay the full amount, we will send you a summons to appear in the Magistrates Court and you will be charged costs. If the court is satisfied that the amount due has not been paid, they can issue a liability order. A liability order enables us to recover the money from you in a number of ways:

• Asking our bailiffs to recover the debt by removing and selling some of your possessions. You will incur additional costs for this;
• Making deductions from your income support or jobseekers allowance, or from your wages;
• Commencing insolvency proceedings which could lead to your bankruptcy as an individual, or liquidation as a company. You will incur additional costs for this;
• Applying for a charging order on your property that enables us to pay your Council Tax out of the proceeds of any future sale. You will incur additional costs for this.

 If the Council Tax is still not paid we can refer your case to court. The court may send you to prison, order you to pay or remit all or part of the debt.