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What happens if I can't pay my rate bill?

Payment of rates is a legal obligation. If you are not able to pay your rate bill, please contact Land & Property Services (LPS) immediately to discuss options available to you.

Having difficulty paying your rates?

If you are having difficulties paying your rates LPS is always willing to listen and will try to come to a suitable payment agreement with you. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Before You Contact LPS

List all the money you have coming in. Don't forget to include:

  • the take home pay you (and your partner) receive
  • any benefits you (and your partner) receive
  • any income from other people who live with you, and
  • regular income such as works pension or maintenance

Then list where your money goes. Your rent or mortgage, rates and fuel are the most important. These should take priority over debts such as credit cards, catalogues and loans.

From this you will be able to see how much money you have and it will help LPS to come to an arrangement with you.

Contact details for LPS are as follows:

  • phone: 0300 200 7801 (charged at local rate)
  • textphone 1800 1101

Alternatively you can call in person to any LPS rating office. You can use the link below to find your nearest office:

Help with your rates

There is a range of reliefs and entitlements available to help ratepayers pay their bill. Please use the following link to find out more information:

Get free debt and benefits advice

You can get more information on handling your finances and dealing with debt as well as information on benefits you may be entitled to through the links below:

If you don't pay your rates

If you do not pay your rates or contact LPS to make an arrangement to clear your account, you will be taken to court.

Please use the following link to find out more information:

More useful links