What happens if you can't pay your rates
Paying your rates is a legal obligation. If you're unable to pay your rates bill, you need to tell Land & Property Services immediately. They will try to arrange a suitable payment agreement with you.
Use this online form to contact Land & Property Services (LPS) as soon as possible if you have received a letter about rates that you still owe. 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 are 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.
Get free debt and benefits advice
If you are having financial difficulties, you can let LPS know. LPS will work with ratepayers to find a solution to allow you to pay your rate bill.
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
Ratepayers are responsible for paying rates as set out in their rate bill. It is best to pay off rates debt as soon as possible to avoid legal action.
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.