Why have we sent you a notice?
According to our records, your payments are not up to date. That means your Council Tax account is in arrears
What should I do if I disagree with the notice?
If you believe your payments are up to date, we encourage all our customers to contact us online as our telephone lines are very busy. Please provide as much information about the payments made to so we can check that we have received them.
Some methods of payment take longer to reach us, so you must allow time when you make your payment to ensure it reaches us by the due date.
My circumstances have changed, what should I do?
If your account needs updating (for example, if you have moved or are no longer entitled to a discount, disregard or exemption), contact us online to report your change in circumstance.
If you don’t contact us, your account may remain in arrears which will lead to further recovery actions
If you’re struggling to pay
Can my Council Tax bill be reduced?
There is a discount available if you live alone. If there is more than one adult living in your household, they may not be counted for Council Tax purposes depending on their circumstances, such as if they are a full-time student.
Information about discounts can be viewed here.
Can I get help if I’m on low income?
If you are on low income you may be able to get help to pay your Council Tax with our support scheme.
You can view information about the Council Tax support scheme or email housingbenefitsupportteam@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for more information
My bill is correct but I’m struggling to pay.
We realise that Council Tax can sometimes be a struggle to pay each month, and we want to help you.
If you can’t bring your account up to date please contact us online, explaining your current circumstances and any proposal you would like us to consider.
Examples of an alternative plan could be:
- If you are currently on a ten-month plan, you could request to switch to a twelve-month plan (meaning you would continue to pay through February and March).
- Switch the date you pay.
- Ask us to consider an alternative payment plan which would bring your account up to date. For example, you may be experiencing temporary financial difficulties.
Alternatively, there are contact details of where you can seek free independent financial advice:
- Advice Portsmouth – help with a range of money matters
- Portsmouth Citizen’s Advice Bureau – specialist money advisers can advise and support you
- Your local housing office – city council tenants can get advice from their housing officer
- Switched on Portsmouth – free schemes and initiatives to help save energy and money
- Our money advice pages – information, guidance and tools to help with money matters
- Cost of Living Hub – A guide to all the help available for Portsmouth residents
I’m in the process of appealing my liability for Council Tax. Do I need to pay?
You must continue to pay your bill during any appeal process, including appeals to the Valuation Tribunal Service.
How to pay
Direct Debit
Direct Debit is the easiest way to pay. Sign up to pay by Direct Debit here.
Paying by internet banking or BACS
Please quote your reference number (column 12 of your reminder) and our bank details:
- Account name: Portsmouth City Council
- Account number: 23526623
- Sort code: 20-69-57
Paying by debit card
Please ensure that you have your card details and your reference number (column 12 of your reminder) ready.
- Pay online here
- Pay using our automated telephone payment service on 0800 876 6576 (available 24 hours a day)
Paying by post
Send your payment to:
Portsmouth City Council
Civic Offices
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2BE
Cheques should be made payable to ‘Portsmouth City Council’. Receipts won’t be issued for postal payments unless specifically requested.
In person
You can pay in person by cheque, cash or debit card at:
- the Civic Offices (opening hours 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday), or;
- at any other Portsmouth City Council housing office (please check your local housing office for opening times)
There are also self-serve payment machines at the Civic Offices, available 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday. Make sure you take your reminder notice with you when making payment.
Other information
If you need to contact us you can
- Contact us online here.
- Please provide as much information as possible to help us deal with your enquiry.
- Please also be aware that we receive a lot of enquiries, and will reply as soon as possible.
- You will get an email confirming that you have made contact.
- Once reviewed, a response will be made by email, in writing, by phone or by a revised/copy council tax bill.
- Call us on 023 9268 8588
- Please be aware that phone lines are very busy which will cause long wait times.
Accessibility
We want all our customers to be able to access our services. If you have a disability or find it difficult to access our services and need us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know and we will do everything we can to help.
Data and privacy
Portsmouth City Council is a registered Data Controller (Registration Number Z5578313). Portsmouth City Council tries to meet the highest standards when collecting and using personal information in accordance with data protection law. The details you provide will be held in a secure system or database and will only be shared with authorised council staff and other organisations where the law allows.
You should be aware that we may be required to disclose your personal information without your consent for the purposes of protecting the council’s legitimate interests (for example, to recover debts that are owed to Portsmouth City Council), to fulfil a legal obligation (such as bringing empty properties back into use) or for the purposes of preventing or detecting crime/fraud or apprehending and prosecuting offenders (for example to the Police, the Cabinet Office or Department for Work and Pensions, or as part of the National Fraud Initiative) or where we have a statutory duty to do so.
You can view further information about: