Paying on Time

Payment dates and amounts to pay are shown on the Council Tax bill.

Payment can be made in either 10 or 12 instalments; however, if the customer wishes to pay in 12 instalments they must request this so that it can be set up. Where a customer does not request payment over 12 months, their payment plan will be set up over 10 instalments.

The full amount of each instalment must be paid on or before the dates detailed on customers’ bills. Anyone wishing to pay weekly, may do so as long as they pay sufficient to cover the full amount of the instalments by the dates detailed on their bill.

• Late with an instalment - If the full instalment amount is not paid by the due date detailed on the bill, a combined Reminder/Final notice is issued requesting payment within 7 days.

• If the full amount of the Reminder/Final Notice is not paid within 7 days – the customer will lose the right to pay by instalments and will be required to pay the full outstanding balance for the year, within a further 14 days.

• If late with more than two instalments - By law, we are only allowed to send two combined Reminder/Final notices in any financial year. If the customer is late with a third instalment, we have to send them a Final Notice for the full year’s outstanding Council Tax.

• If a Final Notice is not paid - The Highland Council realises it is very difficult to pay a Final Notice in full. If the full amount of the Final Notice is not paid we have no option in law but to obtain a Summary Warrant from the Sheriff Court to enforce payment. This will cost the customer an additional 10% of the outstanding tax.

Why not pay by Direct Debit - We understand that it is not always easy to remember to pay instalments on time every month. Payment by Direct Debit is the Council’s preferred payment method. At present there are 55,000 customers paying by Direct Debit - it is convenient for our customers and once set up, the arrangement will continue from year to year.

The Council cannot by law take money from a bank account without giving the customer 14 days notice of the first payment and any subsequent changes to payments. Our customers’ interests are protected by the Banks’ Indemnity Scheme and if an error arises, the customer will receive a full refund.

Difficulty Paying? - The Council understands that some people have difficulty paying their combined Council Tax and Water Services Charges Bill. Customers, who have other money problems, should call the Council’s free, confidential and customer-friendly Money Advice Service. Alternatively, Money Advice Services are available from the Citizens’ Advice Bureaux or

local Advice and Information Services. Contact details are as follows:

Council Money Advice Service

All Areas - 0845 600 4222

Citizen’s Advice Bureaux

Alness - 01349 883333

Dingwall - 01349 864850

Inverness - 01463 235345

Lochaber - 01397 705311

Nairn - 01667 456677

Skye & Lochalsh - 01478 612032

Thurso -  01847 894243/896796

Wick - 01955 605989

Badenoch & Strathspey - 01479 810919

East Sutherland - 01408 633000