More than 1.5 million households faced council tax court action last year

Last year, at least 1.5 million people were summoned to court over unpaid council tax.

That is the finding of a major investigation by the GMB union, which sent freedom of information requests to councils across Britain. Nearly 200 responded, revealing that 1,430,726 court summonses were issued in 2024/25 alone.

The true figure is likely to be even higher.

The same investigation found that at least 4.6 million council tax accounts are currently in arrears, more than 3.2 million have had debt recovery action started against them, and councils are collectively owed at least £4.6 billion in unpaid tax.

What happens if you fall behind on council tax?

Council tax is what is called a priority debt. That means the consequences of not paying can be serious, and councils have strong powers to collect what they are owed.

If you miss payments, your council will usually send you a reminder first. If you do not pay or get in touch, they can apply to a magistrates court for a liability order. This is a court ruling that gives them the legal right to collect the debt.

Once a liability order is in place, the council can take money directly from your wages or benefits, send enforcement agents, sometimes called bailiffs, to your home, or in the most serious cases involving larger amounts, apply to have you declared bankrupt.

This is why council tax debt should never be ignored.

New rules that could help you

The government announced changes to council tax enforcement rules in England in April 2026.

As these changes are introduced, households must be given more time to pay before councils can take court action. Councils are also expected to work with residents on affordable repayment plans rather than moving straight to enforcement.

This is a significant shift. If you contact your council and explain your situation, it is worth asking about a repayment plan. The direction of travel from government is clear that councils should be helping residents find a way to pay rather than immediately pursuing court action.

If your council has not offered you a repayment plan, ask for one. Explain your circumstances and put your request in writing.

What you can do right now

Do not ignore letters from your council. The earlier you get in touch, the more options you are likely to have.

Contact your council directly and explain your situation. Ask about a repayment plan and find out whether you are being given adequate time to pay before any court action is considered.

Check whether you are entitled to a council tax reduction. Many people who qualify are not claiming it. Each council in England runs its own scheme, so eligibility depends on your income, where you live and your circumstances. If you are on a low income, receiving benefits or living alone, you may be able to get a significant reduction in your bill. Some people pay nothing at all.

Find out if you qualify for any exemptions. Students, people with severe mental impairments, carers and people in detention may be exempt from council tax entirely. You can also get a reduction if you are physically disabled or live with someone who is.  

We can help

If you are behind on council tax, worried about a court summons or dealing with debt collectors, we can help you work out where you stand.