Council Tax Debt Advice in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

If You Are Behind on Council Tax

Council tax arrears escalate faster than most household debts. If arrears remain unpaid, BCP Council may pursue formal enforcement, so seek free debt advice promptly.

This page is not debt advice. It points you to free services that can advise on arrears and explains why it is important to seek help promptly.

Free Debt Advice Services

Three national and local services provide free, confidential debt advice that covers council tax arrears.

StepChange Debt Charity

Phone: 0800 138 1111 (free from mobiles and landlines) Online: stepchange.org

StepChange offers free debt advice and can assess your overall financial position. Contact them about council tax arrears and any other debts.

National Debtline

Phone: 0800 240 4420 (free) Online: nationaldebtline.org

National Debtline offers free debt advice. Contact them for help understanding your options for council tax arrears.

Citizens Advice BCP

Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole offers face-to-face and telephone appointments. They can help you check whether you may be entitled to Council Tax Reduction, explain the application process, and give free advice about next steps with BCP Council.

The Enforcement Timeline

If you have received a reminder, final notice, summons, or enforcement letter, read the dates and instructions on it and contact a free debt adviser promptly. The deadline and next step depend on the notice and your circumstances.

Reminder Notice

If you receive a reminder, follow the payment date and instructions on the notice. Contact a debt adviser or BCP Council promptly if you cannot pay what it asks for.

Final Notice and Loss of Instalments

If you receive a final notice, check what it says about the amount due and your next steps. Contact a debt adviser promptly; do not assume an earlier instalment arrangement still applies.

Summons to Magistrates' Court

If you receive a magistrates' court summons, note the hearing date and contact a free debt adviser and BCP Council promptly. The notice and your circumstances determine the steps to take; do not assume that arranging payments will cancel a hearing.

Liability Order

If the court grants a liability order, further enforcement may follow. Contact a free debt adviser promptly to understand which options apply to your circumstances and how to respond.

What to Do Right Now

1. Contact a free debt adviser before you do anything else. StepChange (0800 138 1111) or National Debtline (0800 240 4420) can assess your financial position and discuss your options.

2. Check whether you qualify for Council Tax Reduction. If you are on a low income or receiving Universal Credit and have never applied for CTR, you may be entitled to a reduction that covers part of the current year's bill — and potentially up to one month of backdated support. The BCP Council Tax Reduction guide covers the eligibility criteria and application process.

3. Ask about Exceptional Hardship Payment. If you already receive Council Tax Reduction but still cannot afford the remaining balance, BCP Council's Exceptional Hardship Payment under Section 13A can provide short-term discretionary relief.

4. Do not ignore a summons. If you have received a court summons, contact BCP Council or a debt adviser immediately. Do not assume that a payment arrangement will prevent a liability order being granted.

5. Ask about your options. A debt adviser can explain which options are available for your situation and what steps to take next.

The worst outcome is doing nothing. Council tax enforcement is aggressive but the free advice services deal with it every day. The earlier you reach out, the more options remain available.

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