Last updated: 4 November 2026. General information for England unless stated, not regulated debt advice.
A letter from the council with “reminder notice” in big letters is enough to ruin anyone’s week. Maybe a payment bounced, maybe money was short this month, or maybe you didn’t realise a bill had gone up. Whatever happened, council tax arrears need dealing with quickly, because council tax moves faster than most debts.
The good news is that councils would much rather get paid than go to court, and if you act early, you can usually stop things going further. This guide explains exactly what happens if you fall behind, what you can do at each stage, and how to check you’re not paying more than you should.
It’s part of my debt and credit UK guide.
Need advice now? Free, confidential help: National Debtline 0808 808 4000 (England and Wales), StepChange 0800 138 1111, or Citizens Advice.
Why council tax is a priority debt
Council tax is a priority debt. That means the consequences of not paying are serious: enforcement agents (bailiffs), money taken from your wages or benefits, and in England, as a last resort, even prison. Pay it before non-priority debts like credit cards or loans. My guide to priority vs non-priority debts explains the order.
What happens if you miss a council tax payment (England)
Here’s the process GOV.UK describes:
Stage 1: Reminder notice (7 days)
If you miss a payment, the council sends a reminder notice. You have 7 days to pay the missed amount.
If you pay within 7 days: you carry on paying in instalments as normal.
If you don’t: you lose the right to pay in instalments and have to pay the whole year’s council tax.
You can get no more than 2 reminders in a financial year (April to March). If you miss a third payment, you go straight to a final notice.
Stage 2: Final notice (7 days)
A final notice asks you to pay the full year’s bill within 7 days.
Stage 3: Liability order
If you still don’t pay, the council can go to the magistrates’ court for a liability order. You’ll get a court summons first. The council’s legal costs are added to your debt. You can go to the hearing to explain your situation.
Stage 4: Collecting the debt
With a liability order, the council can:
- Take money from your wages by asking your employer to deduct it (an attachment of earnings).
- Take money from your benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, JSA, ESA and Income Support.
- Send enforcement agents (bailiffs) to collect the money or take goods. Their fees are added to the debt.
GOV.UK says if deductions leave you unable to pay other bills, you can ask for smaller payments. The council doesn’t have to agree but usually tries to reach an arrangement.
Stage 5: Court and, as a last resort, prison (England)
If enforcement doesn’t work, the council can take you back to court. The court looks at whether you can afford to pay. If you have no good reason and refuse to pay, you can be sent to prison for up to 3 months. This is rare, and the court can set up a repayment plan instead.
Wales and Scotland
- Wales: the process is similar, but since 2019 you can’t be sent to prison for council tax arrears.
- Scotland: the process is different. Councils can get a summary warrant, which adds a 10% surcharge to what you owe, and sheriff officers can collect it.
If you live in Wales or Scotland, check your council’s website or speak to a free debt adviser for the exact steps.
What to do as soon as you get a reminder
- Don’t ignore it. Every stage adds costs and pressure.
- Pay the missed instalment within 7 days if you possibly can. That keeps your right to pay monthly.
- If you can’t, call the council straight away. Explain what’s happened and offer what you can afford. Many councils will agree a new plan, especially if you contact them early.
- Ask to spread your bill over 12 months instead of 10. GOV.UK says you can ask for this, and it lowers each payment.
- Check you’re getting every discount (see below). You might be paying too much.
- Get free debt advice if you have other debts too.
Check you’re not paying too much
Before you worry about arrears, make sure your bill is right. Lots of people pay more than they need to.
- Single person discount: if you’re the only adult (18+) living in your home, you get 25% off.
- Council Tax Reduction: if you’re on a low income or claim benefits, you may get money off your bill. Each council runs its own scheme, so apply through your council.
- Disregards: some people don’t count when working out the bill, like full-time students, apprentices, carers, and people with a severe mental impairment.
- Disabled Band Reduction: if your home has been adapted for a disabled person, your bill may be reduced by one band.
- Wrong band: if you think your home is in the wrong band, you can challenge it.
Check all of these in a few minutes with my council tax discount calculator.
Already have a liability order or bailiffs?
It’s not too late to sort things out:
- Contact the council or the enforcement agent straight away and offer an affordable payment plan.
- Get free debt advice. Advisers deal with council tax enforcement every day and can negotiate for you.
- Know your rights with bailiffs. They can’t force their way into your home on a first visit for council tax. My guide to debt collectors and bailiffs explains what they can and can’t do.
- Ask about Breathing Space (England and Wales). A free debt adviser can apply for a 60-day pause on most enforcement action.
- Tell the council if you’re vulnerable, for example if you have a serious illness, a disability or young children. Enforcement agents should take this into account.
How to stay on top of council tax
- Pay by Direct Debit on the day after payday.
- Choose 12 instalments so the payments are smaller.
- Tell the council when anything changes: you move, someone moves in or out, or your income drops.
- Plan for April: bills usually go up each year. Look out for your new bill in March.
- Use a bills tracker. My Bills and Renewal Dashboard keeps your council tax, energy and other dates in one place.
Council tax arrears: people also ask
What happens if I miss one council tax payment?
You’ll get a reminder notice giving you 7 days to pay. If you pay within 7 days, you carry on as normal. If you don’t, you can lose the right to pay monthly and have to pay the whole year’s bill.
Can the council take money from my wages for council tax?
Yes, once it has a liability order from the magistrates’ court. It can ask your employer to deduct money from your wages, or take money from certain benefits.
Can I go to prison for not paying council tax?
In England, only as a last resort if you have no good reason and refuse to pay, for up to 3 months. It’s rare. In Wales, you can no longer be sent to prison for council tax arrears.
How long can a council chase council tax arrears?
Councils usually have six years from when the tax was due to get a liability order. Once they have one, they can go on collecting the debt. Get advice if you’re being chased for old arrears.
Can I get my council tax arrears written off?
It’s rare, but some councils have hardship funds or discretionary discounts. Ask your council, apply for Council Tax Reduction, and speak to a free debt adviser, especially if you’re on a low income.
Does council tax arrears affect my credit score?
Council tax arrears aren’t usually reported to credit reference agencies. A liability order isn’t a CCJ, so it doesn’t normally appear on your credit file. But other debts that build up while you’re catching up can.
Summary
- Council tax arrears move fast: you have 7 days after a reminder before you can lose your right to pay monthly.
- Council tax is a priority debt: pay it before credit cards and loans.
- Call the council early, ask to pay over 12 months, and check every discount you’re entitled to.
- Liability orders can lead to deductions from wages or benefits and bailiffs, so get free debt advice if it reaches that stage.
Next step: check you’re paying the right amount with my council tax discount calculator, then call your council if you’ve missed a payment.
General information only. I’m not a debt adviser. If you’re struggling, please contact a free, confidential debt advice service such as MoneyHelper, StepChange or National Debtline.
Sources (checked 4 November 2026): GOV.UK: council tax arrears · GOV.UK: council tax discounts · GOV.UK: Council Tax Reduction · GOV.UK: free debt advice