Understanding my bill

• Any outstanding balance from 2025/26 or earlier that has not been subject to court proceedings must be paid by 31st March 2026 unless you have a payment arrangement in place.
• Check your MyHarrow Account (MHA) for instalment due dates as there may be a final payment due on a date in March 2026.
• If you received a Summons and the balance is with Enforcement Agents, contact them to make payment.
• If your balance is under a payment arrangement, keep it up to date to avoid court proceedings.
• Balances subject to court proceedings will be marked on your Annual Bill.

• Download the Refund Request Form at www.harrow.gov.uk/ctaxrefund and upload it at www.harrow.gov.uk/evidenceform.
• Requesting a refund will increase your 2026/27 monthly payments, and a new bill will be sent after 1st April 2026.

• View payment methods at www.harrow.gov.uk/ctaxhowtopay or on the back of your Council Tax Bill.
• Set up a Direct Debit at www.harrow.gov.uk/ctaxdirectdebit.
• Existing Direct Debits which have not been cancelled will continue automatically.

• Set up a Direct Debit at www.harrow.gov.uk/ctaxdirectdebit or submit a request at  www.harrow.gov.uk/evidenceform.
• Pay your April instalment first to recalculate the balance over 11 months. Otherwise, your revised bill will have 11 instalments from May 2026 to March 2027, increasing the monthly amount.

• All non-Direct Debit payments must be made by the 1st of each month.
• If you cannot pay by the 1st, set up a Direct Debit to pay on the 15th or 25th of each month.
• Complete the online Direct Debit form at www.harrow.gov.uk/ctaxdirectdebit

• Contact your bank to cancel the Direct Debit instruction.
• To pay by Direct Debit in the future, set up a new instruction at www.harrow.gov.uk/ctaxdirectdebit

• If you recently applied for a Council Tax reduction, it might still be processing.
• Continue to pay as instructed until you receive a revised bill.
• If awarded a full exemption and your account is in credit, request a refund at www.harrow.gov.uk/ctaxrefund.
• Check if the discount/exemption/relief has been applied by logging into your MHA account.
• For details on discounts or exemptions, visit Council Tax discounts and exemptions – Council tax discounts and exemptions – London Borough of Harrow and upload your application at www.harrow.gov.uk/evidenceform

Unoccupied Unfurnished Properties:

• The London Borough of Harrow charges a premium on long-term empty dwellings. These are homes that are no ones sole or main residence and that have been substantially unfurnished for at least one year. The one-year period starts from the date the property first became empty. It does not restart if there is a change of owner.
• Properties which have remained empty for at least one year will be charged an additional 100%, properties which have remained empty for at least five years, but less than ten years will be charged an additional 200% and for properties which have remained empty for at least ten years will be charged an additional 300%.
• The premium is in addition to the usual Council Tax charge.
• There is no right to appeal the level of the premium determined by the Council. You can appeal, however, if you believe that:
  1. you are not liable for the Council Tax; or
  2. the premium has been applied incorrectly

Are there exemptions from having to pay a premium for an unoccupied and substantially unfurnished home?

From 1st April 25, the Government introduced a range of exceptions (i.e. exemptions) for which the above premium will not be payable if the criteria are met.  The exceptions do not apply retrospectively, and an application must be made for an exception to be considered.  A summary of the exceptions concerned is given below.

• The property is or would be someone’s sole or main residence if that person were not residing in job-related armed forces accommodation elsewhere.
• The property is an annexe forming part of, or being treated as part of, the main dwelling.
• The property is being actively marketed for sale.  (This is subject to a 12-month exemption limit).
• The property is being actively marketed for letting. (This is subject to a 12-month exemption limit).  
• The property is an unoccupied dwelling that was exempt from Council Tax under Class F (i.e. where probate has recently been granted or letters of administration issued) This is subject to a 12-month limit from the grant of probate or letters of administration).
• The property requires or is undergoing major repairs or structural alterations.  (This is subject to a 12-month exemption limit).

An application form and further information on Premiums can be found at Council tax empty property premium – London Borough of Harrow

Unoccupied Furnished Properties / Second Homes:

• From 1st April 2025, properties that are no ones sole or main residence and substantially furnished, shall also be subject to a 100% Council Tax premium.
• A Premium may not, however, be payable in the following circumstances:
  • The property concerned is or would be someone’s sole or main residence if they were not residing in job-related armed forces accommodation,
  • The property is an annexe forming part of, or being treated as part of, the main dwelling,
  • The property is being actively marketed for sale, subject to a 12-month limit,
  • The property is being actively marketed for letting subject to a 12-month limit, 
  • The property is an unoccupied dwelling that was exempt from Council Tax under Class F (i.e. where probate has recently been granted) subject to a 12-month limit from the grant of probate or letters of administration,
  • The property is job related, 
  • Occupied caravan pitches and boat moorings,
  • The property is a seasonal home where year-round permanent occupation is prohibited, specified for use as holiday accommodation, or subject to a planning condition preventing occupancy for more than 28 days continuously.

• An application form and further information on Premiums can be found at Council tax empty property premium – London Borough of Harrow

• Complete the online move in/out form at www.harrow.gov.uk/move
• You will receive a revised or new bill as confirmation.

• Details at www.harrow.gov.uk/counciltaxsupport 
• Check your entitlement using the online calculator at the same link.
• Note: The CTS scheme may differ from other Local Authorities

• If you have previously applied for and become entitled to Council Tax Support, it will be automatically calculated for 2026/27 based upon your circumstances known to us.
• If you recently submitted a new claim or change, pay as shown on your most recent bill until you receive a revised bill.

• View your entitlement on your MyHarrow Account (MHA) at Sign In (harrow.gov.uk)
• If you believe your Council Tax Support in incorrect, write to the Council outlining your reasons and provide supporting documentation. Submit online at www.harrow.gov.uk/ctsdisputes
• If unsatisfied, appeal to an independent Valuation Tribunal within two months. Continue to pay your bill during the appeal.

• The government has prescribed that the amounts for Adult Social Care should be comprised within the total amount payable to the billing authority (London Borough of Harrow) for Council Tax billing purposes.
• The amount shown on your 2026/27 bill for London Borough of Harrow includes an amount for Adult Social Care.
• Further information can be found in the CTAX and NDR guide 26/27 at Council Tax and Business Rates Guide – London Borough of Harrow

Refer to the online Council Tax booklet at www.harrow.gov.uk/counciltaxguide.

Contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) with evidence at www.gov.uk/challenge-council-tax-band or call 03000 501 501.

Yes, pay the current bill until a decision is reached and you receive a revised bill.

• You may find the answer to your query on our webpages at www.harrow.gov.uk/ctax
• Submit an enquiry via www.harrow.gov.uk/evidenceform
• Contact details are also on your bill

Apply for up to a 50% discount if you fall under the scheme. More details at Council Tax Discounts and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme – London Borough of Harrow

• Contact the Council as soon as possible via www.harrow.gov.uk/evidenceform or visit Greenhill Library.
• It may be possible to arrange a short-term payment plan and or review for whether you may be entitled to a reduction.

From 16th March 2026 staff will be available to help you access online services at the Resident Contact Centre in Gayton Road, Harrow, HA1 2FB

• Up until 13th March 2026 please visit staff at Greenhill Library, Perceval Square, College Road, Harrow, HA1 1GX where they can help you access online services.
• Service available Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.Services include submitting enquiries, informing changes, making cashless payments, and submitting documents (which will be scanned for electronic access) at the library.

99% of our customer interactions are now online or over the telephone. If you have an enquiry relating to Council Tax, you may wish to first visit our website for information and to transact online at www.harrow.gov.uk