Struggling to pay council tax

Council tax bills are normally paid in 10 monthly instalments between April and January. You can also email local.taxation@peterborough.gov.uk to request a 12 month spread.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to receive a discount on your council tax bill. This means you could pay less or nothing at all.

Discounts include:

• Single person council tax discount
• Discretionary hardship discount
• Discount for severely mentally impaired people
• Council tax support (reduction)
• Disabled relief
• Discount for students and young people
• Discount for carers and care workers

There are some cases where a property is exempt from council tax. This means that the liable person does not have to pay council tax for that property.

Examples of exempt properties are those that have been:

• Left empty by a deceased resident
• Left empty because the resident is in hospital or a care home on a permanent basis
• Left empty due to the resident being imprisoned
• Left empty due to repossession by a mortgage lender
• Occupied only by residents under the age of 18

View the full list of council tax exemptions.

If you are on a low income, there are benefits you can apply for to help you pay your council tax bill. Visit our Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support page for more information.

Visit our Money and Benefits page to find out more about:

• Household Support Fund
• Schemes to help with energy bills
• Support Hubs (including food help)
• Vouchers and activities for the school holidays
• Benefits calculator
• WorkWell employment support scheme
• Furniture bank
• Help with online connectivity

• Citizens Advice provide a wide variety of help and advice including debt and money. They can give you the information you need to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems, how to avoid losing your home and how to get your finances back into shape. Citizens Advice website.
  
  
• Money Advice Service is a free and impartial money advice service, set up by the government. It includes information on debt, budgeting and benefits. Money Advice Service website.
  
  
• Turn 2 Us is a national charity to help you when times get tough, providing financial support to get back on track. They have lots of useful information and tools on their website such as a benefits calculator, managing low incomes, grant search and looking for work. Turn 2 Us website.
  
  
• Money Helper – Free guidance backed by the HM Government – subjects include benefits, family, money troubles, everyday money, homes, work - including a budget planner.
  
  
• Christians Against Poverty (CAP) – a charity providing free debt help, find a job or gain vital life skills, every working day to help you find a practical, lasting solution to debt and poverty. Christians Against Poverty (CAP) website or call (free) 0800 328 0006.