Summons
You have been summonsed because you have not paid the council tax as requested, even though a reminder, 2nd reminder or final notice was sent to you.
You have lost the right to pay the council tax by instalments and must now pay the full amount shown on the summons, plus the costs, before the court date. If you pay the amount in full, including costs, the council will not ask the court to issue a liability order against you and no further action will be taken.
You may not have to attend the court, if you pay in full, or make an arrangement to pay, before the court hearing date. We will still apply for a Liability Order to be issued, but we will take no further action, after that, provided that you keep to the arrangement.
A liability order allows the council to take the following action to recover the council tax arrears:-
• Deduct payments from salary/wages.
• Deduct payments from other income, including benefits.
• Instruct bailiffs to remove goods and possessions (including vehicles) and sell them at auction to raise money to clear the debt.
• Petition for Bankruptcy.
• Apply for a charge to be put on the property and then ask the court to order the sale of the property to pay the debt.
• Apply to the court for the debtor to be sent to prison for up to 3 months.
For more information please read the page called Liability Order.
To make full payment, use the link on the right of this page.
If you are unable to pay immediately, please read the page called UNABLE TO PAY?.
If you have a question about your council tax account, please contact us by email using the link on the right side of this page or by phone 01480 388030.