Payment by Instalment
Council Tax is payable over 10 monthly instalments if
the demand is issued before 30 April. The number of
instalments will be reduced if the demand is issued after 30
April. The instalments required are shown on your bill
and payment for each instalment must reach the
Council on or before the dates shown on the bill. Late
payment or failure to pay the instalment(s) will result in recovery
action being taken.
First Reminder - If an instalment is
not received by the due date, a reminder notice will be issued for
the overdue instalment(s). If the instalment(s) remain unpaid
after seven days, the remainder of the year's
charge becomes due (this amount is detailed on the reminder notice)
and must be paid in full. Failure to pay the whole
amount due will result in the issue of a summons.
Second Reminder - If the
instalment on the first reminder is paid within the 7 days limit,
you may continue to pay under the original payment scheme. If
a further instalment is not received by the due date, a further
reminder notice will be sent. If the instalment(s) remain
unpaid after seven days, the remainder of the
year's charge becomes due (this amount is detailed on the reminder
notice) and must be paid in full. Failure to pay the
whole amount due will result in the issue of a
summons.
Final Notice - If the instalment on the
second reminder is paid within the 7 days limit, you may again
continue to pay under the original payment scheme. If a
further instalment is not received by the due date you will lose
the right to pay by instalments and a final notice for the
remainder of the year's charge will be sent. Failure to pay
the whole amount due will result in the issue of a
summons.
Issue of a summons
Failure to comply with the above notices will result in the
issue of a summons for the balance outstanding for the remainder of
the year plus costs. If these amounts are
not paid in full, the Council will apply to the Magistrates for a
Liability Order, which will again result in further costs being
added to your account. The Liability Order gives the Council
the power to request details of your income and obtain payment of
the outstanding debt and costs in several ways including:
·
- Attachment of Earnings: Deductions
from your wage/salary vary from 3% to 17% depending on your
take-home pay and are made in accordance with a scale set by the
Government. Your employer is entitled to make an additional
deduction for administering this order.
- Deductions from Benefits: If you
are in receipt of either Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance,
and you do not already have an Attachment of Benefit Order, the
Council will advise the Benefits Agency and deductions will be made
directly from your benefit.
- Removal of Goods or Property: Your
debt may be passed to the Council's Civil Enforcement Agents who
are authorised to either make a suitable payment arrangement with
you or to seize goods or possessions up to the value of the amount
owed and sell them to settle the debt. This will incur
additional costs which may be substantial.
- Committal to Prison: After all
other applicable recovery options have been tried and full payment
of the outstanding arrears has not been paid, the Council will
apply to the Court for the debtor to be sent to prison for a period
of up to 90 days. This action will result in substantial
costs being added to your outstanding charge.
- Bankruptcy: If your outstanding debt totals
£750 or more and you own your property, the Council may petition
the court to make you bankrupt. This action will affect your
ability to obtain credit and may result in the loss of your
home.
It is therefore in your best interests to contact us
immediately if you are unable to pay an
amount that is due or you are experiencing financial
difficulties. Please contact the Council Tax Section
immediately for advice and to discuss an alternative
arrangement.
Opening
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm
Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm
You can either telephone on:
023 8068 8470, call into the offices, write
or E-mail.
Use our
online form to make a general Council
Tax enquiry
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Page Last Updated: 6/17/2008
Eastleigh Borough Council
legal disclaimer
Website Comments: webmaster@eastleigh.gov.uk
Eastleigh Borough Council, Civic Offices, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9YN
Telephone: 023 8068 8068, Fax: 023 8064 3952, Text: 07797 877001
Email:
direct@eastleigh.gov.uk