Pre-reminder for missed payments
If you do not pay your council tax on time, and we hold contact information for you, we may contact you to ask for payment by:
- text message
- e-mail
- phone call with a pre-recorded message.
View details of what you should expect to receive with each type of message:
Text messages
The text message will be sent from ‘RCTCBC’. It will include your name, as it appears on your Council Tax bill, and ask you to click on a link to verify your identity:
The link will always contain ‘rctcbc.gov.uk’ and once clicked, will present you with a verification page to confirm your postcode:
Once your identity has been confirmed, you will be redirected to a new page which will detail your outstanding Council Tax payment(s) and provide you with further links to be able to make payment, via both our automated payment line, and our website. It will also provide you contact details should you wish to discuss your outstanding payment(s):
E-mail
The e-mail will be sent from email@revenuesinfo.rctcbc.gov.uk . It will include your name, as it appears on your Council Tax bill, and will detail your outstanding Council Tax payment(s). The email will provide you with links to be able to make payment, via both our automated payment line, and our website. It will also provide you contact details should you wish to discuss your outstanding payment(s):
Phone call with a pre-recorded message
If we call you, it will be from 01443 425002, and appear as ‘RCTCBC’.
When answered, the pre-recorded message will ask you to confirm your identity, and then go on to provide details of your outstanding Council Tax payment(s) and options on how to make payment.
Reminder
If you do not pay your council tax, we will send you a reminder notice by post. We will ask you to bring your instalments up to date.
If you do not bring your instalments up to date within the time stated in the letter, we will issue you with a final reminder. If you do not comply with the final reminder, you will lose your right to pay by instalments and we will ask you to pay the full amount you owe for this council tax year.
If you are unable to pay what you have been asked to please contact us immediately by telephoning the Council’s Customer Service Team on (01443) 425002 to agree to a suitable arrangement. If you don’t you will be issued with a summons and you will be charged further costs.
Court summons and liability orders
If you do not pay your council tax, we will send you a pre-summons reminder asking you to pay the full amount you owe for this council tax year. We will send you a pre-summons reminder by:
- text message
- e-mail
- phone call with a pre-recorded message.
If you do not bring your payments up to date, we will take your case to court and apply for a liability order. The liability order gives us additional powers to collect the money that you owe. You have a right to attend the court hearing.
If the court grants us a liability order, we will write to you and ask you to complete a form about your financial circumstances. If you do not complete and return this form, the Magistrates Court may fine you up to £500.
The liability order gives us the power to take a set amount money directly from your income.
If you earn a salary or wage, we will send your employer an attachment of earnings form.
If you receive benefits, we will talk with Department of Work and Pensions directly.
Enforcement Agent collections
If all other attempts to agree a payment arrangement are unsuccessful, we will pass the debt to our appointed Enforcement Agents. This results in further costs and charges being added to your account.
If the Enforcement Agents are unable to collect the debt, we will apply to make you bankrupt or place a charging order on your property. These actions will also lead to further costs and charges.
If you would like further information of advice please contact;
Tel: 01443 425002