Guides › Debt and Buy Now Pay Later › Behind on Council Tax
Behind on Council Tax
If you miss a council tax payment, your council sends a reminder giving you 7 days to pay. If you do not, you can be asked for the whole year's bill. The council can then get a liability order from the magistrates' court and use bailiffs. Contact your council as soon as you are struggling.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
What Happens
The Process
Your council will send a reminder giving you 7 days to pay. If you don't, you'll have to pay the whole year's council tax. A third missed payment brings a final notice. If the full bill is not paid within 7 days, the council may take legal action and ask a magistrate for a liability order, a legal demand for payment. It can send bailiffs if there is no other way to recover the debt. source
Getting Help
Contact your council as soon as possible. Ask to spread payments over 12 months instead of 10, ask about a one-off discount, and check Council Tax Reduction and exemptions. If you get a liability order, speak to your council or Citizens Advice. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 7 daysPay after a reminder noticeOr the whole year can become due
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Contact your council straight away.
Step 2 of 5
Ask to pay over 12 months.
Step 3 of 5
Check Council Tax Reduction and discounts.
Step 4 of 5
Get free debt advice: council tax is a priority debt.
Step 5 of 5
If bailiffs are instructed, see our bailiffs guide.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Local Council
Talk to it as early as you can.
MoneyHelper Debt Advice
You are struggling with debt. Use the Debt Advice Locator to find free local advice.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Council tax is a priority debt: deal with it before credit cards and loans.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/council-tax-arrears Checked 13 October 2026
- moneyhelper.org.uk Checked 12 October 2026