Why? 

This notice is issued when you fall behind with your instalments.  Provided you pay the overdue amount by the date shown on the reminder no further action will be taken.  A maximum of 2 reminders will be sent in any Council Tax year and so you should not rely on receiving these notices to prompt you to pay your Council Tax.

What to do?

Make payment of the overdue amount now.  Payment options, including setting  up a direct debit or making an online payment can be found under Pay your Council Tax.

What to do if I am struggling to pay?

There is support available, such as Council Tax Support and other financial assistance which can be found under Struggling to pay your Council Tax.

What if I do not agree that I owe this amount?

In the first instance check your Council Tax records in your My B&D account to confirm if your payments are being received or discounts and exemptions you are entitled to have been applied. 

If you still believe that your Council Tax is incorrect, please contact us via the enquiry form.

Why?

This notice is issued if you have not paid when a reminder has been sent to you or if 2 reminders have already been issued and you have fallen behind for a third time.  When this notice is issued your instalment facility is withdrawn and the full remaining balance for the year has to be paid.

What to do?

Make a payment of the overdue amount now.  Payment options, including setting up a direct debit or making an online payment can be found on the Pay your Council Tax page.

If you are unable to pay the amount in full, you can set up an affordable payment plan in your My B&D account.

What to do if I am struggling to pay?

There is support available, such as Council Tax Support and other financial assistance which can be found under Struggling to pay your Council Tax.

What if I do not agree that I owe this amount?

In the first instance check your Council Tax records in your My B&D account to confirm if your payments are being received or if discounts and exemptions you are entitled to have been applied. 

If you still believe that your Council Tax is incorrect, please contact us via the enquiry form.

Why?

A Summons is issued if you are still behind with paying after a reminder and/or a final notice has been sent to you.  At the hearing, the Council will apply for a Liability Order.  This is an order from the Court which confirms that you owe this money and allows the Council to take further action.  Costs of £63.00 have been added to your bill when the summons was issued and a further £60.00 costs will be added when the liability order is granted.  For information about what happens at Court please see below.

What to do?

Make a payment of the overdue amount now.  You will save £60.00 by paying the full amount before the hearing date. Payment options, including setting up a direct debit or making an online payment can be found under Pay your Council Tax.

If you are unable to pay the amount in full, you can set up an affordable payment plan in your My B&D account. If we agree on a payment plan with you before the hearing there is no need for you to attend the Court but the £60.00 liability order costs will still be payable. 

What to do if I am struggling to pay?

There is support available, such as Council Tax Support and other financial assistance which can be found under Struggling to pay your Council Tax.

What if I do not agree that I owe this amount?

In the first instance check your Council Tax records in your My B&D account to confirm if your payments are being received or if discounts and exemptions you are entitled to have been applied. 

If you still believe that your Council Tax is incorrect, please contact us via the enquiry form.

Do I have to attend Court?

Do not attend the Barkingside Magistrates Court as the hearing is held virtually at the Barking Learning Centre.  You do not need to attend Barking Learning Centre, if you accept that you are the person liable to pay the Council Tax and the amount is unpaid. 

You should only attend if you have a valid defence against the making of a liability order such as;

• The council did not send you a bill and notify you of late payment.
• You have paid the full amount owed, including costs.

The Magistrates will hear all the cases listed on the court list whether people attend or not.

What happens at the hearing?

The Council will confirm;

• The Council Tax has been properly set
• Your property appears in the Council Tax list
• The appropriate notices have been sent
• The Council Tax remains outstanding

A request is then made that the Court grant a liability order against you. 

The Court are not able to change the amount you owe or consider arguments about reductions that should be made to your Council Tax.

If you need to claim Council Tax Support this can be done via the Apply for Council Tax Support page.  If you believe your Council Tax Support assessment is wrong, details of how to challenge this can also be found on the page.

If you believe you are entitled to an exemption or discount please see the Discounts and exemptions page for details of how to apply.  If there is a problem with a discount or exemption please contact us via the enquiry form.

The Court are also not able to make orders for payment.  If you need more time to pay, a repayment plan can be made via your My B&D account.

What is a Liability Order?

A liability order gives the council additional powers for collecting the debt owed.

The liability order will be issued if the amount shown on the summons has not been paid in full before the court hearing.

Why?

The liability order was granted at Court because your outstanding Council Tax was not paid.  The order allows the Council to take further enforcement action to collect the remaining debt.  This is not the same as a County Court Judgement and does not affect your credit rating.

What to do?

Make a payment of the overdue amount now.  Payment options, including setting up a direct debit or making an online payment can be found under Pay your Council Tax.

If you are unable to pay the amount in full you are legally required to complete a financial enquiry form which is located within our enquiry form.  This is in accordance with the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992.  You must do this within 14 days of receiving a request to do so. If you fail to supply the requested information or knowingly or recklessly supply false information, then you are guilty of a criminal offence and could face a fine of up to £1,000.

What to do if I am struggling to pay?

There is support available, such as Council Tax Support and other financial assistance which can be found under Struggling to pay your Council Tax.

What if I do not agree that I owe this amount?

In the first instance check your Council Tax records in your My B&D account to confirm if your payments are being received or if discounts and exemptions you are entitled to have been applied. 

If you still believe that your Council Tax is incorrect, please contact us via the enquiry form.

What happens if I do not pay or set up a repayment plan?

It is important to follow the steps listed above immediately to prevent further action being taken and more costs being added.   

If you take no action we will instruct an enforcement agent (bailiff) to visit your home and seize goods such as vehicles, electrical items and other valuable goods.  

The Council will no longer discuss payment with you and all contact will then have to be with the enforcement agent.

They will send you a Notice of Enforcement which will include a financial statement form, asking for full payment or an acceptable payment arrangement. 

At this point, you will incur fees of £75.00. However, if a personal visit to your home is required in an effort to obtain payment then additional fees of £235.00 or more will be incurred.

If you have already been contacted by an enforcement agent then you must call them directly.  

See their websites listed below:

• Becontree Collection Services
• Marston Holdings 
• CDER Group (formerly JBW Group)
• Whyte & Co Enforcement Services