Ways to pay your council tax

There are a few ways you can pay your council tax.

Direct debit

Direct debit is the best way to pay your council tax because:

  • it saves you time
  • your payments go out automatically
  • you are protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee, which promises that you will get your money back straight away if anything goes wrong

Set up a direct debit

Paying by instalments

You can pay your council tax in either:

  • 10 monthly instalments (April to January), or
  • 12 monthly instalments (April to March)

Payments are usually due on the 1st of each month.

If you pay by Direct Debit, you can choose one of these dates: 1st, 8th, 15th, or 22nd.

You can also choose to:

  • pay the whole year in one go
  • pay in two parts (half-yearly)

If the amount you need to pay changes during the year, for example, if you get a discount, exemption, or council tax support, you will get a new bill.

This will show the new total and the new payment amounts.

Apply to pay by 12 instalments

Pay your council tax online

You can pay with Mastercard or Visa credit cards, and Visa debit, Delta, or Maestro cards.

Payment security: To protect your data and provide a higher level of security, you will need to use the following browser versions (or above) to make payments: Chrome 30; Android 4.4; Firefox 24; Internet Explorer 8; Opera 17; Safari 7 with OSX 10.9; Safari mobile IOS 5. Please upgrade your browser if you need to.

Make a payment

Pay by phone

Using a credit or debit card, call 020 8825 9940.

We accept Mastercard or Visa credit cards, Visa debit cards, Delta or Maestro. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Pay at a bank

To pay at your own bank, or for standing orders, internet or phone banking, please use:

  • sort code: 30-00-00
  • account number: 02390140
  • reference: your council tax account number

Pay in person

You can use the barcode on your bill to make cash payments at any PayPoint outlet.

SMS text messaging

We may send you a text message reminding you of the council tax balance to be paid.

Contact

If you have any problems with paying your council tax, please telephone 020 8825 7050.

Council tax