Council Tax arrears

Council tax is a legal process. If you are required to pay council tax but don’t - or fall behind with payments - you could be liable for legal action. 

If you are struggling to make payments, contact our team as soon as possible on revenues@torfaen.gov.uk or 01495 762200. Find out what support is available. 

Council Tax reminder 

If you receive a reminder notice you must pay the outstanding balance or be liable to pay the remaining amount in full.  

Final notice 

If you have received a final notice, it means that:  

• you have not paid your council tax instalments as detailed on your bill 
• you can no longer pay by instalments, and the full amount is now due 
• the amount showing as overdue on your notice must be paid in full within 14 working days of the letter date. 

If the full balance is not paid, a court summons will be issued to you. This will incur further costs which will be added to what you must already pay. 

If you are unable to pay, please contact us as we may be able to help. If the account can be brought up to date, we may be able to reinstate your monthly payments.  

How to make a Council Tax payment

Court summons 

If you have received a court summons, it means that we have applied to the magistrates’ court for the legal power to take further action against you to recover unpaid council tax and court costs will be added to your account.  

To avoid this, you need to pay the full amount plus any court costs incurred. This will stop any further recovery action.  

If you cannot pay the full amount you can submit a summons agreement offer to request to pay by installments.

Make a Summons Agreement Offer

Liability order 

This means a court has granted us the power to recover unpaid council tax arrears. This can be done by claiming it from your salary or benefits, enforcement agents, charging order or bankruptcy order.  

If you have received a liability order, contact us as soon as possible.