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North Ayrshire Council

North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine, Scotland, KA12 8EE
Fax: +44 (0)1294 324144  Overseas: +44 1294 323963
   

Council Tax - Individual Account Enquiries

We bill and collect Council Tax from the residents of all properties in North Ayrshire. We also collect water and wastewater charges on behalf of Scottish Water.

 

Billing and Payment

If you have any queries about your bill, payment information, arrears of Council Tax or a general enquiry please contact us by the methods detailed below.

 

Discounts and Exemptions

There are various Discounts and Exemptions available for Council Tax. To request an application form or to find out if you would qualify please contact us on methods detailed below.

Arrears

If you are having difficulty paying your Council Tax please contact the Debt Recovery Team  |by the methods detailed below.

 

By Telephone

Billing and Payment enquires 0845-603-0592

Discount and Exemption Enquiries 0845-603-0592

Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm.

 

Arrears 01294-324901

Lines are open as follows:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9.00am to 4.45pm

Wednesday 10.15am to 4.45pm

Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm

 

In Person

You can also contact us in person at Cunninghame House, Irvine. The opening hours are as follows:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9.00am to 4.45pm

Wednesday 10.15am to 4.45pm

Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm

 

In Writing

Alternatively you can use the 'Contact Us' facility, or write to us at the following address:

Council Tax Section

North Ayrshire Council

Financial Services

Cunninghame House

Irvine

KA12 8EE

 

It is important to us that you receive a consistently high standard of service when you contact us. Our Customer Charter| (PDF, 38.2Kb) sets out the standards you can expect .Our structure|(Word 219Kb) is also detailed giving information on the teams within the Revenues Service and who is in charge.    

 

 

Contact Details

Council Tax Section

North Ayrshire Council

Financial Services

Cunninghame House

Irvine

KA12 8EE

 

Telephone : 0845603-0592

Email:

Contactus@north-ayrshire.gov.uk|

 

Will my council tax valuation band be increased if I build an extension onto my house?
Under current legislation any alterations or extensions that you carry out will not affect the council tax valuation band until the property is sold.

Why is the Council Tax banding higher on my one-bedroomed flat than my friend's three-bedroomed semi.?
Your Council Tax banding is dependent on the value of the house on the 1st of April 1991, not the number of bedrooms. The valuation depends upon the area in which you live as much as the size and type of property.

Why have I received a Reminder for my Council Tax?
Your Council Tax must be paid in accordance with the instructions on your bill to avoid recovery. When one instalment is missed a Statement of Account (Reminder) will be issued. If it is brought up to date and kept up to date no further action will be taken. If your account is not brought up to date you will lose the right to pay by instalments and the full balance on your account will become payable. If payment is still not made the Council will apply to the Sheriff Court for a Summary Warrant and a 10% statutory addition will be added to your account. The arrears will then be passed to the Sheriff Officers for collection . Please note that paying within the month will not always avoid recovery, it is important to make payment on the date shown on the bill.

Who is responsible for paying the Council Tax bill?
The person or people named on the front of the bill are responsible for paying the Council Tax for the property.

What should I do with council tax bills for the person who stayed here before me?
Return the bill to the address shown on the envelope and if a forwarding address or solicitor's address is known, please tell the council tax staff, who will arrange to update our records.

What should I do if I am having trouble paying my Council Tax?
If you are having difficulty making your Council Tax payments you should contact our dedicated Debt Recovery Team straight away for advice on 01294 324901. They will be able to assist you in confidence to arrange an agreeable and affordable repayment plan to help clear any previous years debts while keeping the current year up to date. They can also put you in touch with Money Advice and Welfare Rights Advisors for additional, independent and confidential help. If you are on a low income we can also refer you to the Benefits Service to ensure that you are receiving any Council Tax rebate you may be entitled to.

What is a Council Tax earnings arrestment?
Council Tax Earnings Arrestment is when the council has a Summary Warrant from the Sheriff Court to recover Council Tax payment directly from your earnings. In other words, we recover what you owe us directly from your wages. You are obliged to provide details when requested by us and we do not need to consult you when considering an arrestment.

What happens if I don't pay my Council Tax?
If you pay by monthly instalments and do not pay an instalment in full, on the day it is due, then you will be sent a Statement of Account (reminder notice) asking you to pay the outstanding balance of the instalment within 7 days. If you do not pay then you will lose the right to pay by instalments and the full balance on your account will become payable. You will have 14 days to pay this. If payment is not made within 14 days then the Council will apply to the Sheriff Court for a Summary Warrant and a 10% statutory addition will be added to your account. The arrears will then be passed to the Sheriff Officers for collection. By law you cannot receive more than 2 Statement of Accounts (reminders) in any one financial year.

What exemptions can be claimed on council tax when there is a bereavement?
Where Council Tax liability is due solely by the estate of a deceased person and grant of confirmation to the estate has been made, there is a 6 months maximum exemption. Where Council Tax liability is due solely by the estate of a deceased person and grant of confirmation of the estate has not been made, there is an unlimited exemption.

I've received a Sheriff Officer letter. Can't I just make an arrangement with the Council?
You may be able to make an arrangement with our Debt Recovery Team by dialling 01294 324901. If we are unable to make an arrangement with you, you will need to contact the Sheriff Officers regarding payment.

I've just bought a house to rent out. If my tenant doesn't pay his council tax, will I be liable?
No, as long as you have provided a copy of the lease, we will pursue the tenant for the outstanding council tax.

I'm going to work abroad and will be renting out my house. Do I still have to pay council tax?
No, If you are renting out your property for more than six months, your tenant will be due to pay the council tax.

I receive a single person's 25% discount on my council tax but will have someone staying with me for a month. Should I inform the council tax of this change in circumstances?
Changes of occupancy of less than six weeks is not considered significant for Council tax so there is no need to inform us of this change.

I paid my Council Tax by direct debit at my old address. Why has nothing come off my bank account since I moved to my new house?
When you move house a new direct debit instruction has to be set up as you will have a new Council Tax reference number. If you did not complete a new Direct Debit Mandate for your new address, you should contact us by dialling 0845 603 0592 and your direct debit instruction can be set up over the telephone. If you do not pay, you will be in arrears with your Council Tax payments and could be issued with a reminder.

I own a property and lease it/rent it out. Who should advise the Council Tax Office?
As the owner of the property, it is up to you to advise us, otherwise you will be liable to pay the council tax on that property.

I have lost my job and can't pay my council tax. What should I do?
You may be able to claim housing and council tax benefit. Contact us immediately.

How long do I have to wait before I get my refund on my overpaid council tax?
We usually issue payment within 10 working days.

How can I stop getting council tax bills for my old address?
You need to advise the council tax office of the date you left the premises. If you were a tenant at that address, please provide the name of your landlord. If you owned the property, please advise the council tax office of the date of sale and the name of the purchaser. We will amend our records accordingly.

Do I need to tell the Council Tax if I move home?
Yes, when you move permanently to a new address you must notify Council Tax. You should do this as soon as possible, ideally before you actually move, if you know the dates and your new address.

Can I get my council tax refund now, in cash?
We do not issue council tax refunds in cash. We will send you a cheque, or refund you directly to your bank account.

Can I change the date of my Council Tax direct debit?
Yes. The Council currently offers three payment dates for paying your Council Tax by Direct Debit which are the 1st, 15th and 28th of the month. If you wish to change your current payment date please contact us on 0845 603 0592 and we can change this for you over the telephone.