Council tax payments are handled by the council billing authority.
The billing authority is required to:
Set the council tax charge by 11 March each year
Issue a demand notice together with accompanying information; these can be sent in the name of liable persons or ‘council tax payer’
Provide details of instalments, normally over 10 instalments, the first being due not less than 14 days from the issue of the demand notice.
Send a demand to all taxpayers, even those with nil bills.
Include in the demand certain assumptions about any discounts, disregards or exemptions or any other information contained.
Assumptions – The demand notice will be issued for the whole financial year, will include certain prescribed information and is based on a number of statutory assumptions:
the person will remain liable throughout the year
the property will remain a chargeable dwelling
any discount/exemption will remain for the whole year
If changes occur, a revised/amended demand will be sent.
The normal instalment scheme is for 10 monthly payments. Special non-statutory arrangements may be made by the billing authority with taxpayers e.g. weekly, annual etc.
How To Pay
There are a number of ways you can pay your Council Tax:
Online
Direct Debit
Cash / Cheque
Standing Order/Internet Banking
Telephone
Online
Hounslow's online payment facility is quick and easy to use. To make a debit or credit card payment to the Council, visit the:
Direct Debit
This is the cheapest and most efficient payment method for you and us, and provided you have a suitable bank or building society account, you can pay this way.
To do so, you simply have to complete a Direct Debit mandate and return the form to Hounslow Revenue services. This is then passed to your Bank/Building society and will ensure that the appropriate amount is transferred from your account when it is due.
You will be notified in advance of the payments and their due dates, and you will be able to query a payment should you feel it is wrong, or stop it altogether. You can cancel the arrangement at any time and you can obtain a refund if ever an error is made on your account.
Download Direct Debit form (
PDF Help, size 1081kb):
PLEASE NOTE - if you download the Direct Debit form, please ensure that you enter your council tax account number AND write your name and address in the space at the top left hand corner. Please return the completed form to Hounslow Revenue Services via the address at the bottom of the page.
The main benefits of Direct Debiting include:
Choice of payment dates
No need to remember when to pay
No need to write out and post cheques
No queueing at banks or post offices
Your bank/building society does all the work and you stay in control
No need to make another agreement next year
Time Saving
Telephone
Call Centre: 020 8583 4242
Mon to Thurs 8.45am - 5.00pm
Fri 8.45am - 4.45pm
Cash/Cheque
To pay by cash or cheque you must use the Instalment Slips that are issued with your Council Tax Bill. There are a number of ways you can pay by cash or cheque:
At the Civic Centre: The Cashier is open Monday to Friday 8.45am to 5.00pm
At any Bank: If not your own branch, the bank may charge you for this service
At any Post Office: By cash or cheque. Cheques must be made payable to: POST OFFICES COUNTERS LTD.
By Post, send payments to:
The Borough Treasurer
Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow
TW3 4DN
Cheques must be made payable to: LONDON BOROUGH OF HOUNSLOW. If a receipt is required, you must send the whole instalment slip and a stamped addressed envelope. Post dated cheques will not be accepted. Do NOT send cash through the post.
Standing Order/Internet Banking
If you wish to use home banking or standing order please ensure you quote:
Sort Code: 40-25-02
Bank account number: 40545155
Your Council Tax Account number (found in top right corner of your bill)
Direct debit mandates to
Hounslow Revenue Services
P.O. Box 355
Hounslow
TW3 4PJ
Payment by telephone
You can make payments using our Automated Telephone Payments System by calling 020 8583 5959 24 hours a day