How you can pay your rates bill

Your payment plan

Whatever payment method you use, you can pay the full amount or pay in monthly instalments. If you set up a monthly payment plan, your rates bill will be spread over the remaining months in the current rating year.

If you're unable to pay your rates bill, you need to tell LPS immediately.

• What happens if you can’t pay your rates  

Pay rates online

You can pay your rates online using your debit card. There is no charge to pay your rates by debit card.

• Pay your rates online

Debit cards

The following debit cards are accepted:

• Switch
• Visa
• Visa Electron
• Solo
• Maestro

Credit cards

Domestic ratepayers can pay rates online using a credit card. There is no charge to pay rates by credit card. 

The following credit cards are accepted for domestic rates payments only:

• Visa
• Mastercard

There is no limit on the amount you can pay in one transaction. Some ratepayers have limits or restrictions on their debit or credit card. For example, you may not be able to pay more than a particular amount in one transaction.

If you have problems processing a large transaction, ask your card provider if there is a limit on your card. You can make more than one transaction in smaller amounts. This doesn't affect your entitlement to early payment discount on your rates.

• Your rates bill explained: instalment customers

Pay your rates by Direct Debit

To pay by Direct Debit, you fill in a mandate form. This allows LPS to collect money from your bank or building society account.

Paying by Direct Debit:

• continues each year without you taking further action
• is protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee 

How to set up a Direct Debit

You can use an online form to ask LPS to set up a Direct Debit:

• Set up a Direct Debit online for rates

You can download the Direct Debit form below. You need to print the form, fill in by hand and send the form to LPS. Use the freepost address on the form.

• Direct Debit application form
• Your rates bill explained: Direct Debit customers

You can telephone the LPS helpline with your bank or building society details.

• telephone: 0300 200 7801 
• text relay: 18001 0300 200 7801

Pay your rates by telephone

You can pay your rates by telephone using your debit card. There is no charge to pay by debit card. To contact LPS:

• telephone: 0300 200 7801

The automated telephone payment service does not accept credit card payments.

Making a payment

To make a payment you will need this information from your rates bill:

• account ID
• ratepayer ID
• amount due

Debit cards

The following debit cards are accepted:

• Switch
• Visa
• Visa Electron
• Solo
• Maestro

You can't pay your rates by telephone using a credit card.

Pay rates at a Post Office

To pay your rates in a Post Office, you'll need the barcode which is printed on your rates bill for the property or your QuickPay card.  Your rates bill will show you how much you need to pay.  You should keep your receipt.

You can contact LPS to request a QuickPay card:

• telephone 0300 200 7801

To find out how to use the Rates QuickPay card, go to:

• Your rate bill explained: instalment customers

Post Office does not accept credit cards for any over the counter bill payment. They do however accept debit card payments.

If you pay by cheque in a Post Office, your cheque must be payable to 'Post Office Ltd'. You must allow five working days for payment to reach LPS.

• Post Office Branch Finder

Pay rates by PayPoint 

You can pay your rates in a shop by PayPoint. In most PayPoint outlets, you can pay by cheque, cash or debit card but some places don't accept cheques or debit cards. Credit cards are not accepted.

You will need the barcode which is printed on your rates bill or your QuickPay card to make a payment. Your rates bill will show you how much you need to pay. Keep your receipt. 

You can contact LPS to request a QuickPay card:

• telephone 0300 200 7801

To find out how to use the Rates QuickPay card, go to:

• Your rates bill explained: instalment customers

You must allow five working days for payment to reach LPS.

• Find a PayPoint outlet

Pay your rates from your bank account

You can send payments to LPS from your bank account:

• by standing order
• through internet banking
• through telephone banking

LPS is part of the Faster Payments Scheme.

Standing orders, telephone or internet banking

You need to renew a standing order every year.  One-off payments can be made by bank transfer online or by phone.  If the payee details do not match, make sure you have entered the correct bank account name and continue to pay as normal:

• Account name: LPS Domestic Rates
• sort code 950121 (Danske Bank)
• bank account number 71063200 (domestic customers only)

You must quote the 16 digit reference number made up of the Account ID and Ratepayer ID on the top right of your rates bill. Include zeros at the beginning with no spaces or dashes, for example 0123456789105568.  LPS is part of the Faster Payments Scheme. 

Payments from abroad

If you are sending payment from abroad, use the reference numbers for international or same day sterling payments (IBAN, CHAPS, BIC, Swift Code).

Domestic properties

SWIFT code/BIC code: DABAGB2B (you must quote IBAN number with this)
IBAN number: GB30DABA95012171063200
Bank account name: LPS Domestic Rates

You can send payment advice to:

• email: Operationalfinance.Rating@lpsni.gov.uk

LPS bank address is:

Non-domestic properties

SWIFT code/BIC code: DABAGB2B (You must quote IBAN number with this)
IBAN number: GB22DABA95012101063197
Bank account name: LPS Commercial Rates

You can send payment advice to:

• email: public.bodies@lpsni.gov.uk
• email: commercial.lps@finance-ni.gov.uk

LPS bank address:

You must quote the 16 digit reference number which is your account ID and ratepayer ID on the top right of your rates bill. Include the zeros at the beginning with no spaces or dashes, for example 0123456789105568.

• Your rate bill explained: instalment customers

Pay your rates by cheque

You can pay your rates by cheque. Make your cheque payable to ‘Land & Property Services’, crossed ‘rate account’ and send it to the address shown at the top of your bill. Write your property address, account ID and ratepayer ID numbers on the back of the cheque. 

• Your rates bill explained: instalment customers

LPS doesn't give receipts for postal payments.

Hand deliver your cheque

You can leave cheque payments for rate bills into an LPS office without making an appointment. Ask staff at the front desk to direct you to the cheque deposit box. 

• LPS Offices

LPS doesn't accept cash or post-dated cheques and our offices do not provide facilities to accept any other payment methods onsite.

Rates refund

If you overpaid rates on your home, you might be entitled to a refund. 

• Getting a rates refund

More useful links

• Change the billing address for your rates bill
• Update the personal details on your rate account
• Land & Property Services privacy notice