How to pay your council tax

How to pay your Council Tax

Direct Debit

If you want to pay by direct debit, this can usually be set up over the phone.  Please call with your council tax account number and your bank details. A letter and bill will be sent confirming that it has been set up and when your first payment will be collected. The letter includes a copy of the direct debit guarantee scheme for your records.

Direct Debit is easy and the most cost effective way to pay your council tax. You can chose to pay on the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th or 25th of the month. You can even opt to pay through to March instead of January. 

What are the benefits of Direct Debit?

• If your monthly instalment changes, (for example in the new financial year) you don't have to do anything
• The direct debit is collected rather than you having to remember to make a payment
• The money is credited to your council tax account the day of the debit so no delays.
• Keeping collection costs down helps to keep the cost of the council tax charge down

Direct debits cannot be made from certain types of account, for example, savings account. Please check with your bank if you are unsure.

Please remember that it takes time for us to set up your direct debit. You should continue to pay your council tax until the direct debit payments have commenced.

Not all banks will set up a direct debit using the same reference number, should your Direct Debit be cancelled.

Making payment at the Civic Centre

You can pay at the Civic Centre using the Kiosk, near the main reception.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 - 1900.

Online payments 

Please use sort code 60-10-10 (National Westminster, St Anns Road Harrow Branch) and account number 61742473.

Please ensure that your 7 digit council tax account number only is quoted as the reference.

Telephone payments - Tel: 020 8424 1220

You can use the 24 hour automated telephone payment service which accepts all cards except American Express and Diners Cards.

Please have your council tax account number plus credit or debit card ready when you call and follow the instructions carefully. Have a pen to hand to make a note of the receipt number that you will be given at the end of the call.

Please note there will be a 1.5% charge if paying by credit card. The instalment date for all payers except direct debit payers is the 1st of the month.  You must allow enough time for your payments to reach your council tax account before the due date.

If you have made a payment and you would like to check to see that it has been received, please register and log in to My Harrow Account.

The instalment date for all payers except direct debit payers is the 1st of the month.  You must allow enough time for your payments to reach your council tax account before the due date.

If you choose to pay at a bank, not all banks accept cash payments.

Statutory Instalments

Legally you have the right to pay over 10 monthly instalments starting at the beginning of each financial year. This will be from 1st April to 1st January.

• yearly, on 1st April or
• half yearly, on 1st April and 1st October or
• quarterly, on 1st April, 1st July, 1st October and 1st January

This request must be made at the beginning of the financial year.

If you move in to your property after April, or if the amount you need to pay changes during the year, the number of instalments you are given will be less than 10. You will be sent a bill informing you of the new amounts and dates to make payment.

The instalment due date is the 1st of the month for all payers except direct debit payers who have chosen an alternative date.

If you do not pay on time

If payment is not received by the date shown on your bill, the council will issue a reminder notice to you, which could lead to the monthly payment arrangement being cancelled. If the arrangement is cancelled, the remaining amount due is payable in full straight away.

 Note: If a summons is issued, costs will be charged.

If you are waiting for a decision for a reduction in your council tax for example, council tax benefit, a discount, exemption or band reduction, you must continue to pay your council tax as requested until you are advised that your request has been granted. This will normally be by the issue of a revised bill. Whilst waiting to hear about the reduction you must continue to pay as shown on your bill as there are no grounds for withholding payment and recovery action will be taken.