West Lothian Council delivers

I've received a Sheriff Officer letter. Can't I just make an arrangement with the Council?

No, you need to contact the Sheriff Officer to come to an arrangement.

What happens if I don't pay my Council Tax?

If you pay by monthly instalments and do not pay an instalment in full, on the day it is due, then you will be sent a reminder notice asking you to pay the outstanding balance of the instalment within 7 days. By law you cannot receive more than 2 reminders in any one financial year. If you do not pay then you will lose the right to pay by instalments and the full year's charge will due. The council will then apply to the Sheriff Court for a summary warrant to recover the debt. At this stage a 10% statutory surcharge is added to the outstanding balance on your account.

What is a Council Tax earnings arrestment?

Once a Council Tax case has gone through the Sheriff Court a Summary Warrant is granted. This order allows us to take certain methods of recovery, one of which is an earnings arrestment. Council Tax Earnings Arrestment is when the council has a Summary Warrant from the Sheriff Court to recover Council Tax payment directly from your earnings. In other words, we recover what you owe us directly from your wages. You are obliged to provide details when requested by us and we do not need to consult you when considering an arrestment.

What should I do if I am having trouble paying my Council Tax?

If you have difficulty in making your Council Tax payments you should contact us straight away for advice. You may be able to arrange to repay the debt without the Council taking legal action against you.

Why have I received a final notice for Council Tax asking me to pay the full balance when it is not the end of the year?

The offer to pay your Council Tax by instalments has been withdrawn as you have not paid what was required, therefore you are being asked to pay the full balance for the year.

Why have I received a Reminder/Summary Warrant for my Council Tax?

Council Tax must be paid in accordance with the instructions on the bill to avoid recovery. When one instalment is missed a Reminder will be issued. If it is brought up to date and kept up to date no further action will be taken. If this is not brought up to date the Council will apply to the Sheriff Court for a Summary Warrant. If the first reminder is brought up to date but subsequent instalments are defaulted upon a Second Reminder is issued. If it is brought up to date and kept up to date no further action will be taken. If this is not brought up to date the Council will apply to the Sheriff Court for a Summary Warrant. If you default for a third time you will not be sent another reminder and the Council will apply to the Sheriff Court for a Summary Warrant.Any Warrant issued will incur costs of 10% of the outstanding balance - known as a Statutory Surcharge. Please note that paying within the month will not always avoid recovery, it is important to make payment on the date shown on the bill.