If you’re struggling to pay your Council Tax bill

Get help if you cannot pay your Council Tax and see what support is available.

If you’re finding it hard to pay your Council Tax, please contact us as soon as you can. We may be able to help.

There are plenty of ways we can help reduce your Council Tax bill.

Alternatively, you may be able to set up a special payment arrangement that takes your financial circumstances into consideration. We are happy to talk about the situation and discuss a short-term payment plan with you:

We will recover unpaid Council Tax.

We’ll write to remind you that it needs to be paid and, if the money is not forthcoming, will issue a summons for you to attend a hearing at the Magistrates Court.

If the amount summonsed is not paid in full, with costs, after the hearing, or if you do not keep to the payment plan you have arranged with us, there are several other actions we can take.

Reduce your Council Tax bill

There is a discount available if you live alone, also called the single person discount. 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.

Find out if you qualify for Council Tax discounts in Portsmouth and follow simple steps to apply for reductions.

If you are appealing your liability for Council Tax

You must continue to pay your bill during any appeal process, including appeals to the Valuation Tribunal Service.

Your bill is correct but you're 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 update your account, please contact us online, and tell us your financial situation and any repayment ideas you have.

Examples of an alternative plan could be:

  • If you are on a ten-month plan, you can ask to switch to a twelve-month plan. This means you would keep paying in 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.
  • If you are experiencing exceptional financial hardship and are still unable to pay your Council Tax after all discounts, exemptions and Council Tax Support have been considered, the Council may be able to consider a discretionary reduction under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is not an automatic entitlement. Each request is considered individually and only in exceptional circumstances.

Free independent financial advice

Advice and help is available from local organisations. Those providing free independent debt and financial advice are listed here:

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