If you get into payment difficulties and you can't afford your instalments, contact us straight away. We may be able to help you by making a different payment arrangement.
If you have received a reminder or final notice you can pay this immediately using the online payment system|.
Remember that paying by direct debit |ensures that your payments are made on time every month. We can now arrange for you to pay this way over the telephone.
What happens if you do not pay your Council Tax bill
If you do not make payment in line with your monthly instalment we will take action to recover the unpaid amount:
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You will be sent a Reminder or Final Notice. This will detail how much is due for payment and will also tell you about the next steps Gateshead Council will take if you do not pay. If you do not pay you may lose your right to pay by instalments. You must then pay the full amount;
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If you do not pay we will send you a Court Summons. The summons will give you the date and time of the Magistrates Court hearing and specify the amount of unpaid Council Tax. You will always be given at least 14 days notice of the hearing;
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At the Magistrates Court hearing the Council will ask for a Liability Order to be granted against you. We may also make an application for costs to be awarded against you. The current cost figure is £65.00;
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If the Liability Order is granted the Council is allowed to take further action to recover the debt. This could take the form of:
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instructing bailiffs to call at your home and recover the debt;
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take deductions direct from your wages or income support/job seekers allowance;
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take action to have you made bankrupt;
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register a charging order on your property;
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or take action to have you committed to prison.
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After the Liability Order has been granted the Council will issue you with a Notice of Liability Order. This Notice asks for your employment and income details. You have a legal obligation to provide these details. The completed Order will enable us to work out how much you can afford to pay and hopefully come to a payment arrangement with you.