Bailiffs use jumps for council tax debt – find out what support you could get if you’re struggling

New research by the campaign group Debt Justice shows the use of bailiffs to collect council tax debt has risen by 30% in just two years.

Bailiff referrals jumped from 1.3m in 2022-23 to 1.7m in 2024-25. At the same time, the average council tax bill for a Band D property rose by 10% and arrears have surged.

Why this matters

Falling behind on council tax payments can have serious consequences. Councils often turn to bailiffs, whose fees add up to £420, and are due to rise to £442 with upcoming government changes.

These fees can make a difficult financial situation even worse.

The government has been consulting on modernising council tax, specifically on how it is billed, collected and enforced. Specific proposals, like extending the debt collection timeline, aim to provide more support for vulnerable individuals. 

Why do people fall behind?

Many reasons can lead to unpaid council tax, including:

• losing a job
• illness
• other unexpected costs

The wider impact

When council tax goes unpaid, it affects everyone:

• local councils have less money for key services like waste collection, road repairs and schools
• this can lead to higher tax bills in future, continuing the cycle of debt

What support can you get?

If you're finding it hard to keep up with payments, you may be eligible for discounts, exemptions or other support.

Council tax discounts and exemptions

Certain people are not counted when calculating your bill, which can help lower the amount you owe.

This can include:

• under 18s
• people on certain apprenticeships
• full-time students
• severely mentally impaired individuals
• live-in carers for someone not related to you
• diplomats

If everyone in your household is disregarded, you could qualify for a 50% reduction on your bill.

If you live alone or all others are disregarded, you might get a 25% discount.

Discounts for students

Full-time students in all-student households are usually exempt from council tax. If you live with others who aren’t students, you’ll be disregarded.

To qualify:

• your course must last at least 1 year
• you must study for 21+ hours per week

Discounts if you’re disabled

If your home is larger than needed due to your condition, you might qualify for the disabled band reduction scheme.

This could lower your council tax bill to the next-lowest band or provide a 17% discount if you’re already in the lowest band.

Fallen behind on paying council tax?

Council tax is a priority debt, so there’s serious consequences if you don’t pay and councils can take legal action, leading to extra fees and bailiff visits.

If you’re behind on payments, it’s important to act fast:

• contact your local council right away to discuss your situation
• look into any discounts or exemptions you may qualify for
• think about setting up a payment plan to manage your debt over time.
• Seek free debt advice if you’re struggling with money.

For more information on dealing with bailiffs for council tax arrears, read our guide.