How we recover unpaid Council Tax

There are other ways we may collect your unpaid Council Tax, including:

• charging orders – adding the debt to your property
• bankruptcy or winding up proceedings
• committals – applying for a warrant for your arrest

Add the debt to a property that your own

If we have identified that you own the property and your debt remains unpaid, we may apply to the courts for a charging order. This will remain on the property until the debt is cleared.

Start insolvency proceedings against you

In extreme circumstance if the debt remains unpaid, we may start: 

• bankruptcy proceedings against you
• winding up proceeding against your company

This is a serious matter which involves taking your valuable possessions or assets. Your home may also be sold.

Apply for warrant for your arrest

A further court summons may be issued by the magistrates’ court for you to attend a court date. This will happen if your Council Tax debt remains unpaid and all other previous collection methods have been unsuccessful.

This may result in you being sent to prison. A warrant may be issued for your arrest if you fail to attend the court date and time.

For more information, go to our Council Tax Recovery Policy.