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.

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:

• Rating district offices (contacts section)

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:

• Help with paying your rates

You can get more information on handling your finances, debt etc through the links below:

• Housing Rights (contacts section)
• Consumer Credit Counselling Service (contacts section)
• Citizens Advice Northern Ireland (contacts section)
• Law Centre NI (contacts section)
• Debt Action Northern Ireland (contacts section)
• Housing Advice NI website

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:

• What if you don't pay your rate bill

More useful links

• Managing debt (money, tax and benefits section)
• Benefits and financial support (money, tax and benefits section)
• Managing money (money, tax and benefits section)
• The cost of contacting 08 and 03 telephone numbers (contacts section)