What happens if you can't pay your rates

Use this online form to contact Land & Property Services (LPS) as soon as possible if you have received a letter about outstanding rates. LPS phone lines are busy however you can use the form to ask for a call back.

Before you contact LPS

List all the income you have and include:

• take home pay you and your partner receive
• any benefits you and your partner receive
• any money from other people who live with you
• regular income such as a work pension or maintenance

List where your money goes. Your rent or mortgage, rates and home heating bills are the most important debts. These take priority over debts such as credit cards, catalogues and loans.

Payment agreement

Using these lists, you will see how much money you have. This will help LPS come to a rates payment agreement with you.

Fill in the online form to ask LPS to contact you back about an arrangement when LPS phone lines are busy. If you cannot use the form:

• phone: 0300 200 7801 (local rate) or +44 2890 485 784 (outside UK)
• text relay: 18001 0300 200 7801

Customer Information Centres remain closed to the public until further notice, in an effort to limit the spread of Covid-19, however you can post cheques to Lanyon Place office in Belfast.

Help with your rates

There are reliefs and entitlements available to help some ratepayers pay their rates bills.

• Help paying your rates

Get free debt and benefits advice

You can get information on handling money, dealing with debt and benefits you may be entitled to:

• Housing Rights 
• Step Change Debt Charity
• Law Centre NI Belfast office
• Law Centre NI Western area office
• Advice NI
• Benefit Enquiry Line

If you don't pay your rates

If you don't pay your rates bill or contact LPS to make an arrangement to pay your bill, LPS will take you to court.

• What happens if you don't pay your rates