Council Tax

What is Council Tax and do I have to pay it?

Council Tax is a local charge that each Council collects to put towards the cost of the services that it provides, such as rubbish collection, libraries and schools. All London Councils also collect money on behalf of the Greater London Authority, the Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police.

You will not have to pay the full charge if you are the only adult resident, or if all or all but one of the residents qualifies to be disregarded for Council Tax purposes, (see Council Tax Discounts). In certain cases when all of the residents are disregarded, (for example when all are students), or when your property is unoccupied, it is possible that an exemption might apply, in which case you will not have to pay at all, (see Council Tax Exemptions).

The liability to pay Council Tax is usually determined by who is actually living in the property, but there are times when the Council Tax legislation states a "non-resident owner" is liable. For more information, please see About Council Tax.

Who decides how much I pay?

The Council itself is responsible for setting the level of Council Tax, (see How your bill is worked out). The amount to be paid is determined by the band that your property is placed in, which in turn is based on the size and value of the property. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which is a part of HM Revenue and Customs, is responsible for the banding of all properties, and the Council is legally obliged to collect the Council Tax using the band supplied by the VOA, (see Council Tax Bands)

Any new properties, or changes to existing properties, are reported to the VOA, who in turn notify the Council of the new band(s) and/or any change to the current band.

How can I query the band that my property has been given?

All queries regarding banding should be made direct to the Valuation Office Agency who may be contacted using any of the details shown below:

Write to: London City Group Valuation Office
Cityside
40 Adler Street
London
E1 1JY

Telephone: 020 7530 7200
Fax: 020 7530 7299
Email: londoncitygroup.vo@voa.gsi.gov.uk
Website:http://www.voa.gov.uk

Please note: Banding appeals should normally be made within six months of you first becoming liable for the Council Tax. The Valuation Office Agency may refuse to accept appeals made outside of this time limit.

How do I pay my bill?

Your initial Council Tax bill will automatically be divided into instalments which you can pay by any of the following methods:

Direct Debit

This is the most cost-effective and convenient method. Simply telephone the Revenues Helpline on 020 8356 3154 (between the hours 9 am - 5 pm) and in most cases, we will be able to create your direct debit for you immediately over the phone. It would therefore be helpful if you have your bank details to hand when you call us.

Payment online

You can also pay your bill pay online

Debit or Credit Card

You can pay using your debit or credit card at the Cashiers Office at 2 Hillman Street (behind Hackney Town Hall) or over the telephone by calling either our payment hotline number, 020 8356 5050, or the Revenues Helpline number, 020 8356 3154.

Bank and Post Office

You can pay by cash or cheque at the Bank or Post Office using the payment slips provided with your payment booklet.

If you are making payment at the Post Office or your own Bank, there should be no charge for this facility. However, some Banks may charge if you are making a payment at a Bank other than your own.

PayPoint

You can pay in person at any PayPoint Outlet, but please note that only cash will be accepted.

Find your nearest outlet

By post

You can send a cheque, made payable to "The London Borough of Hackney", to: Cashiers Office, 2 Hillman Street, E8 1FB. Please write your reference number clearly on the reverse of the cheque.

Please do not send any cash through the post.

In person

You can pay in person, by cash, cheque or debit/credit card at the Cashiers Office, 2 Hillman Street (behind Hackney Town Hall), open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.

NB: If you do not pay your instalments by their due dates you will lose the right to pay by instalments. Proceedings will then be started to collect the outstanding balance of Council Tax for the year in full. You will, however, automatically have your right to pay by instalments re-instated for your next annual Council Tax bill.

For more information, go to Paying Your Council Tax

What if I am on a low income?

People on a low income can claim Council Tax Benefit which should reduce the amount to pay. To find out more, please see Council Tax Benefits, or telephone the Benefits Helpline number, 020 8356 3399.

Is there any reduction if I am disabled?

If your property has been adapted to meet the needs of a disabled resident then you may be able to claim a reduction. If granted, the reduction will reduce your Council Tax liability by the equivalent of one band. Band A properties will receive a reduction equal to one ninth of the Band D charge. For more information, see Disabled Band Reduction.

I pay regularly each month, so why have I received a Reminder/Final Notice/Summons?

All instalments, other than those paid by direct debit, are due by the 1^st of the month. If you miss any instalment, or if you fail to pay any of your instalments by their due date, we will send you a reminder. If you bring your account up to date within 7 days that will be the end of the matter. However, only two reminders can be issued during each financial year. Any further failure to pay on time will result in a Final Notice being sent to you and your right to pay by instalments being withdrawn. At this point, the full outstanding balance for the year will be due and you will not be able to just 'bring your account up to date' in order to prevent legal action being taken against you.

If necessary, you will be sent a summons to appear before the Magistrates' Court, for which you will incur court costs. If you still don't pay the amount due, or at least agree an arrangement to pay it, we will ask the court for a Liability Order. If this is granted, it will give us the legal authority to take further debt recovery measures, such as instructing bailiffs to collect the outstanding balance or having the money deducted direct from your wages or benefits.

To avoid this, please contact us immediately if you cannot pay your instalments, as we may be able to assist you ourselves or arrange an appointment for you to talk to an independent debt management service.

Do I need to tell you if I change address?

Yes. If you move from one property to another you should always inform us of your change of address. We will then be able to send you either a closing bill or a refund, whichever is appropriate. If you move within the Borough, we will try to create your new account for you straight away to ensure that you continue to get the maximum number of instalments at the lowest level possible.

For more information, please see Moving Home

I have other questions that are not answered here. Who can I talk to?

During office hours you can telephone the Revenues Helpline on 0208 356 3154. Alternatively, you can call in to the Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street, E8 1DY, or contact us via email at counciltax@hackney.gov.uk

Page updated: 19 Oct 2011