Council Tax arrears

Council Tax is a legal charge. If you are required to pay Council Tax and do not make payments, or fall behind with payments, we may take recovery action to collect the amount due.

If you are struggling to make payments, please contact us as soon as possible at revenues@torfaen.gov.uk or 01495 762200 we may be able to help. Find out what support is available.

What happens if you miss a payment

From April 2026, there is a clearer, staged process across Wales. This gives residents time to address missed payments before enforcement action is taken.

Reminder notice

If you miss a Council Tax payment, we may send you a reminder notice. This means:

• Your instalments are overdue and you should try to bring your account up to date as soon as possible

Please contact us if you are struggling to pay or need time to make a payment

At this stage, you can still continue paying by instalments if your account is brought up to date.

Final notice

If your account is not brought up to date, you will receive a final notice. This will not normally be issued until at least:

• 41 days after the missed payment, and
• At least 14 days after any reminder notice

The final notice means:

• You have missed payments as set out on your bill
• You must bring your account up to date within 21 days

You can still pay by instalments at this stage if you bring your account up to date.

If payment is not made within 21 days, we will apply to the Magistrates’ Court for a court summons.

How to make a Council Tax payment

Court summons

If you receive a court summons, it means we have applied to the Magistrates’ Court for a liability order due to unpaid Council Tax. At this stage:

• The right to pay by instalments is withdrawn
• The full balance becomes due
• Court costs are added to your account

This stage will not normally be reached until at least 63 days after the original missed payment.

You should contact us immediately to discuss your options.

If you cannot pay the full amount you can submit a summons agreement offer to request to pay by instalments.

Make a Summons Agreement Offer

Liability order

If the court grants a liability order, this confirms the amount you owe and gives the Council legal powers to recover the debt.

Further recovery action

If the balance remains unpaid, we may take further action, including:

• Deductions from your wages
• Deductions from certain benefits
• Referral to enforcement agents (bailiffs)

Additional fees may be added at each stage.

You should contact us immediately to discuss your options.

Last Modified: 02/06/2026 Back to top