Council tax problems

Council Tax - Can't Pay?

We are here to help

Please contact our helpline on 0151 356 6857 - 24 hour ansaphone service.

We may be able to reduce your bill or give you more time to pay.

If you are experiencing difficulties in paying your Council Tax:

• Act straight away - do not wait for us to send you a reminder or a summons.
• Write, telephone, visit or e-mail us: ctax.recovery@epnbc.gov.uk as soon you know you will have difficulty paying.
• If you can, make a proposal of how much and when you can pay us.
• If you are on a low income you could get Council Tax benefit.
• If you contact us straight away we will do what we can to help. As a general rule, you must pay the council tax within the financial year. It is better to pay something each week or each month rather than save it up and pay in a lump sum; and

If you have other debts your Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to advise you, contact; Ellesmere Port CAB, 1 Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 8AA, Tel: 0151 357 3853 or Neston Town Hall, High Street, Neston Tel: 0151 336 5848.

Full details of Discounts and Exemptions and Council Tax Benefit are available to confirm that you are receiving all the reductions you are entitled to.


Non-payment

If you miss an instalment you will get a reminder notice giving you seven days to bring your council tax payments up to date. If you do not do so within the time, you will have to pay the outstanding balance of your council tax bill (i.e. the full amount for the rest of the year). If the balance is not paid, we may start recovery action.


Recovery action

We can apply to the magistrates' court for a liability order. You will be sent a summons telling you when the court will consider the application and the amount the council is seeking to recover. This will be both the outstanding amount of council tax plus the cost to the council of making the application. You have the right to attend the court and offer evidence as to why the order should not be made.


Incorrect bill

If you think your bill is wrong, you should tell us immediately by calling 0151 356 6855 or e-mail us council.tax@epnbc.gov.uk

Unless you make other arrangements, you must continue to pay the amounts set out in your original bill until you are sent a revised bill.


Adjustment to bills

If the amount of council tax you have to pay changes during the year, perhaps because your entitlement to a discount or benefit changes, you will get a new bill. This will tell you what the new amount for the year is, and what instalments you now have to pay.



Appeals

You may appeal against any decision your council has taken. However you should continue to pay your original council tax bill while your appeal is outstanding.

You can appeal if you think:

• We are sending bills to the wrong person for your home. 
• Your home should be an exempt dwelling.
• The amount of the bill is incorrect, e.g. if you think a discount should apply or if the council has not reduced the bill for a disability.

You should first write to us giving reasons for your complaint. We have two months to provide an answer. If you still disagree with our decision, or if we have not acted within the two month period, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

You should first write to us giving reasons for your complaint. We have two months to provide an answer.

If you still disagree with our decision, or if we have not acted within the two month period, you can appeal to the Cheshire Valuation Tribunal, 17/18 Navigation Business Village, Navigation Way, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, Lancs, PR2 2YP