Sometimes when we send our Council Tax bills, we receive telephone calls/enquiries asking for certain explanations. Please use the links below to find the answers to our most frequently asked questions:
Property Bands
I think the Band of my property is too high. How can I check it is correct?|
Your Bill
Why does my name / my partner's name appear first on the bill?|
Does my bill include arrears from previous years?|
I have not received a new payment card. Do I need one?|
Consolidated Bills
Why has my bill got more than one page?|
Which page shows my payment plan?|
I've had several bills this year. Which one do I pay?|
Payments and Ways to Pay
What different ways can I make payments?|
Can I pay weekly or over twelve months?|
Can I change my payment dates?|
I have made a payment since the date of this bill, do you need to send me a new bill?|
Am I paying by Direct Debit, the bill is not clear?|
I have completed a Direct Debit form, but my bill says I will be making payments with a card, what do I need to do?|
Can I choose which day of the month my Direct Debit is paid?|
My bill says a payment card will follow. When can I expect to receive it?|
Difficulty in Paying
I am having difficulty in paying my bill. What should I do?|
Reductions in your Bill
I am on a low income and I can't afford to pay my bill. Can I get any help?|
My circumstances have changed and I think I may be entitled to a discount. What do I need to do?|
I am living on my own. Am I entitled to claim a reduction?|
I am disabled / someone else in my house is disabled. Will I receive a reduction on my bill?|
I am a pensioner. Am I entitled to a discount?|
Council Tax Benefit
I have made a claim for Council Tax Benefit. Why isn't the reduction showing on my bill?|
What period does the amount of the benefit on my bill relate to?|
I am receiving Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance. Do I have to pay any Council Tax?|
Moving House
I have moved / will be moving soon - what do I need to do?|
I am moving to another Council's area. Do I have to notify them too?
|
Property Bands
I think the Band of my property is too high. How can I check it is correct?
The Listing Officer, who is part of the Valuation Office Agency|, is responsible for valuing your property and setting the Band. If you wish to appeal against the Band you will need to contact the Listing Officer at The Valuation Office Agency, Ley Court, Barnett Way, Gloucester GL4 3RT or telephone 01452 360200. The amount of Council Tax charged will remain payable until we are notified officially, by the Listing Officer, that the band has changed.
Your Bill
Why does my name / my partner's name appear first on the bill?
There is no set rule as to whose name appears first on the bill. All persons named on the bill are jointly and severally liable for the amount due.
Does my bill include arrears from previous years?
No. Any amounts that you still owe from previous years are treated separately. You should continue to pay these as previously notified.
I have not received a new payment card - do I need one?
A payment card relates to the account number shown on your bill - you will need a card to either pay at the post office or any PayPoint outlet. Click here for other payment options|.
Consolidated Bills
Why has my bill got more than one page?
If you have been associated to more than one property within a financial year, you will receive a consolidated bill. This bill has multiple pages. There are separate pages for each property linked to your account reference number, detailing the charge for each liability and a separate page showing the total amount due and your payment plan.
Which page shows my payment plan?
The top sheet of your consolidated bill is a summary statement. This lists the properties and shows charges, payments and any benefit, discount, relief or exemption adjustments. The total amount due for your account is shown on this top sheet, together with a payment plan.
I've had several bills this year. Which one do I pay?
The account reference number is shown at the top right-hand corner of your bill. If you receive more than one bill with the same account reference number, you should always pay the bill with the most recent date.
Payments and Ways to Pay
What different ways can I make payments?
Click here for information on making a Council Tax payment|.
Can I pay weekly or over 12 months?
We are unable to send you a bill with a weekly payment plan or extend payments over 12 months. However, you can make an agreement with us by telephoning 01452 396495. You can also arrange to pay in one annual instalment or twice yearly.
Can I change my payment dates?
Your instalments are due on the 1st of each month. Please be aware that if a payment is late you may be sent a reminder.
I have made a payment since the date of this bill, do you need to send me a new bill?
Your payment will have been allocated to your account. Please deduct this amount from the first instalment showing on your new bill and pay the balance on the due date. If you want to check that we have received the payment, please telephone 01452 396495.
Am I paying by direct debit, the bill is not clear?
At the bottom of your bill you will see a box detailing your payment instructions. If you are paying by direct debit, it will state 'the instalments shown below will be collected by direct debit from your bank account'. We will ask your Bank or Building Society for payment on the first of each month.
I have completed a direct debit form, but my bill says I will be making payments with a card. What do I need to do?
Your direct debit instruction has not been set up yet on our records. When it has, we will send you another bill detailing when payments will be requested from your bank account. We will always give you 14 days notice before the first payment is due. Please continue to pay your instalments by cash/cheque until we have set the direct debit up.
Can I choose which day of the month my Direct Debit is paid?
Unfortunately, payments will only be deducted on the first of each month.
My bill says a payment card will follow. When can I expect to receive it?
It can take up to 14 days to receive a payment card. If you have not received it after this period of time, then please telephone 01452 396495.
Difficulty in Paying
I am having difficulty in paying my bill. What should I do?
You will need to contact us on 01452 396495. We will discuss with you how much and when you can pay. Please remember that this is an important debt. If we have to take extra steps to recover the amounts due, you can be liable for costs. Don't leave it, contact us without delay!
Reductions in your Bill
I am on a low income and I can't afford to pay my bill. Can I get any help?
If you are on a low income (this may include people working part-time, on a low wage, claiming benefits, etc) you may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill. Simply telephone the Benefits Section on 01452 396483. They will answer any questions you may have and send you an application form for Council Tax Benefit.
My circumstances have changed. I am no longer entitled to the discount I have on my bill. What do I need to do?
You must contact us as soon as your circumstances change. Please telephone 01452 396495. We will then send you a revised bill.
My circumstances have changed and I think I may be entitled to a discount. What do I need to do?
Please telephone 01452 396495. We will send you an application form for the type of discount that you may be entitled to. Then all you have to do is complete the form and return it to us with any documentary proof that you have been asked for to support your application.
I am living on my own. Am I entitled to claim a reduction?
People who are aged 18 or over and who live on their own, are entitled to a reduction of 25% on their bill. Please contact us on 01452 396495.
I am disabled / someone else in my house is disabled. Will I receive a reduction on my bill?
If you or someone in you house is disabled and can meet certain criteria, you may qualify for a one-band reduction on your bill. If you property is in Band A, you may qualify for a reduction equal to one ninth of a Band D charge.
I am a pensioner. Am I entitled to a discount?
Unfortunately, there is no automatic discount for pensioners. However, if you are on a low income, you may qualify for council tax benefit. Please telephone 01452 396483 for further advice and an application form.
Council Tax Benefit
I have made a claim for Council Tax Benefit. Why isn't the reduction showing on my bill?
You will need to contact the Benefits Section on 01452 396483. They will be able to tell you when your application will be calculated. Once the claim has been processed, a notification letter will be sent to you, explaining how the benefit has been calculated. You will then receive a revised Council Tax bill showing your new instalments to pay, if any.
What period does the amount of the benefit on my bill relate to?
You will have already received a notification letter from the Benefits Section advising you how much benefit has been given to you and how it was calculated. This letter will also tell you the period it relates to. If you have any further enquiries or would like help, please telephone the Benefits Section on 01452 396483.
I am receiving Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance. Do I have to pay any Council Tax?
Even though you are receiving Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance, you will still need to complete a Council Tax/Housing Benefit application form to enable you to receive a reduction. If you receive Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance, you may get up to 100% reduction. If you have completed a form already, please contact the Benefits Section on 01452 396483, to find out how your claim is progressing, or to request an application form.
Moving House
I have moved / will be moving soon - what do I need to do?
Please telephone 01452 396495, preferably within 5 days of your move. We will then amend your account and send you a revised bill.
I am moving to another Council's area. Do I have to notify them too?
Yes, each local authority must be notified separately.
Last Updated: 26/02/09