Council Tax Reminders

The Council, in its rolling Recovery program, issues Reminder Notices to people who have not paid their Council Tax installments on time.

Here are some FAQ’s to help give you more information about what you should do if you get a Reminder Notice.

• Why have I been sent a Reminder Notice?
• What happens if I don’t pay?
• Why do I have to pay now?
• Can’t Pay?
• Make paying easier
• What you need to set a Direct Debit up
• I am not paying as I am unhappy with a Council service
• My details have changed
• I am waiting to hear about Council Tax Benefit

Why have I been sent a Reminder Notice?

Our records show that you have not paid the installment(s) in accordance with your Council Tax bill. If you have paid in the last few days, your payment has probably crossed in the post with the Reminder and we are sorry for the concern this has caused.

What happens if I don’t pay?

The next letter we send could be a Court Summons. If we sent this, your right to pay in installments will be cancelled. You will also be charged extra costs.
After the summons is sent we will apply for a Liability Order. This is a Court Order that allows us to use Bailiffs to recover what you owe, or we can take money direct from your wages.

Why do I have to pay now?

Government law allows you to pay over monthly installments. It also allows us to take action if you do not pay when the installments are due.

This year we must collect £30 million of Council Tax on behalf of the County Council, Police and Fire Authorities and for services provided directly by Fenland District Council.

Non-payment and late payment can cost those who do pay more money. Also Direct Debit is an easy way to pay. As we are now sending less Reminders out, it’s important you pay on time.

Can’t Pay?

If you are on a low income or earnings, and less than £16,000 savings you may be entitled to Council Tax Benefit. We can help. See additional information about Council Tax Benefit above under Related Links:

You may also qualify for Second Adult Rebate if you are solely responsible for the Council Tax and have another adult in the household who themselves are on a low income.

Make paying easier

Pay by Direct Debit. Only set up your Direct Debit once. We then send you a new bill with details of your payments. Each year in future your payments will be automatically adjusted with your new bill and we will let you know what your new payments are in advance.

Instead of having to pay on the 1st of each month you can choose between the 1st, 10th of 20th.

What you need to set a Direct Debit up

There are three easy ways to set a Direct Debit up:

By phoning us on 01354 654321

By visiting a Fenland @ your service shop and completing a form there

By printing a form off our website, see Related Links above

Please have these things ready when phoning us, or make sure you put them on the form you complete if you print it off:

• Your Council Tax reference (this always starts with 8, has nine digits. It is the number above the bar code at the top right of your bill; put this in the Reference Number box on your form),
• Your bank sort code (always is six digits in this format: 00-00-00)
• Your bank account number (from your bank statement),
• Tell us the day of the month you want to pay (1st, 10th or 20th),
• Give us your name and address (the one the Council tax is being charged on) if filling out the form,
• Sign and date the form.

I am not paying as I am unhappy with a Council service

Please call us on 01354 654321, visit a Fenland @ your service shop or e-mail info@fenland.gov.uk to tell us what is wrong, so we can put it right.

Please note that legally, this is not a reason to stop paying and you still need to bring your account up to date now.

My details have changed

Contact us with the details of the change. If you move within the Fenland District Council area your payment will be transferred to your new account if you pay too much. You should still pay the amount we ask. If you are moving to another area tell us so we can work out your final balance.

I am waiting to hear about Council Tax Benefit / Second Adult Rebate

You still need to pay until your application is sorted out. It may be we need extra information from you. Contact us to see how your application is progress and if we need any more information from you.