Council Tax - Recovery

A Liability Order is granted by the Magistrates Court where payments towards Council Tax have not been made in accordance with your instalments following the issue of a bill, reminder and summons.

Where a Liability Order is obtained and an arrangement has not been entered into and maintained further recovery action will be taken if the full amount has not been paid. This action may take one of the following forms:

1. Attachment to your earnings;
2. Attachment to your Income Support, Employment Support Allowance or Jobseekers Allowance;
3. Use of the Bailiffs;
4. Bankruptcy proceedings;
5. Charging Order against your property, where you are the owner, or 
6. Committal to prison, if the bailiffs are unsuccessful.

Furthermore, having obtained the liability order the council can legally request certain financial information, in respect of your employment or benefit details. Failure to supply this information could result in further action in the Magistrates Court, which may result in a fine and further costs.

I cannot afford to pay in full, how can I make an offer of payment?

You can make an offer of payment online by visiting the link below. Please note that in general we will expect accounts to be paid before the 31st March. 

Make an offer of payment

Alternatively you can contact us as detailed below.

Can I have deductions from my benefit to clear the debt?

Deductions can usually be made from your benefit by the DWP providing the benefit claimant is liable for the Council Tax and is in receipt of one of the following benefit types:

• Income Support
• Employment Support Allowance
• Job Seekers Allowance
• Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit

Request deductions from Benefit

Can I have deductions from my earnings to clear the debt?

Deductions can usually be made from your earnings by an Attachment of Earnings Order providing your earnings are high enough and you are named on the Liability Order.

Request Attachment of Earnings

How to contact us

You can visit one of our Customer Service Centres listed at the following link:

Customer Service Centres

Or you can ring us Monday to Friday on (01709) 336070 from 8:30am to 5:30pm.

Please note that our less busy times for telephone enquiries are currently 8:30am to 10:00am and 4:30pm to 5:30pm.

You can also make an immediate payment by ringing (01709) 822329 or by visiting the following link:

RMBC Online Payments System

Are you experiencing debt problems?

If you are having difficulties with debt the Council provides a free confidential debt counselling service to Rotherham residents. Please ring (01709) 822329.

Other advice agencies may be accessed through;

Advice in Rotherham

Last updated 22/12/2011