Council Tax - frequently asked questions
We hope you find the following information helpful. If there is
a question you would like to ask which isn't listed, please use the
contact details at the foot of this page.
I have recently moved into the Royal Borough. How do I register
for Council Tax?
You can register through our website by completing the online form.
or downloading the change in circumstances form and sending this
to us at the address shown below.
Alternatively you can phone us to register on 020 7361 3005 or
email us at counciltax@rbkc.gov.uk. Please
provide the following information:
- Full address of property
- Date of purchase / date of tenancy
- Full names of all adult tenants / owners including yours
- Forwarding address of vendor / name and address of landlord /
agents
If I register for Council Tax, am I automatically added to the
Electoral Register?
No. The Council Tax register is separate from the Electoral
Register. If you wish to register to vote, you will need to
complete a separate form. Please see the information at Registering to vote.
If I register for Council Tax, am I automatically eligible for
a resident’s parking permit?
No. You will need to apply separately for a resident’s parking
permit. Please see the information on the Resident's Parking page.
I am a full-time student. How do I apply for a student
exemption?
To apply for a Council Tax student discount / exemption you will
need to send us a student certificate which is obtainable from your
college and which gives details of your course. To qualify for a
discount or exemption the certificate must give the following
information:
The name of your course and the start and end dates. You must be
on a full-time course of education with the course lasting at least
24 weeks and you must be undertaking periods of study, tuition or
work experience which together amount to an average of at least 21
hours a week.
When you have obtained the student certificate please send with
a covering letter or email to the addresses shown below. To receive
a full Council Tax exemption a student certificate must be supplied
for each member of the household. Please let us know how many
adults over the age of 18 are residing at the property.
If you are a student under 20 years of age you may still qualify
for a student discount provided the course is one which lasts more
than 3 months and at least 12 hours per week for any qualification
up to A level, ONC or OND standard.
How can I pay my Council Tax online?
Go to our online payment page:
Pay for it
We accept British debit cards at present. We hope shortly to be
able to accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards but we will be
making a charge for these.
The easiest and most convenient way to pay your Council Tax is
by Direct Debit. You can set up a Direct Debit by downloading the
form, or you can set up a Direct Debit over the phone at 020
7368 8906.
What are your bank details so that I can make a payment through
my bank?
Our bank details to make payment are as follows:
Sort Code = 57-20-24
Account number = 00000000
Account name = HO Collection a/c
Please quote your Council Tax reference number when making
payment.
What are the details I require to make an international
transfer of funds to pay my Council Tax?
The details to make an international transfer of funds are as
follows:
International Bank Account number (IBAN) = GB06 NWBK
50301025062697
Bank Identification Code (BIC) = NWBKGB2L
Bank account Number = 25062697
Sort Code = 50-30-10
Bank address = Nat West plc, Royal Garden Branch, 55 Kensington
High Street, London, W8 5ZG
Please quote your Council Tax reference number when making
payment.
I’m receiving Council Tax Reduction (also called Council Tax
Support), so why do I still get bills, adjustment notices and
payment booklets sent to me?
When there is a change to your Benefit claim, there is a legal
requirement to issue you with a bill (together with a payment
booklet) within a certain period of time. These instances are kept
to a minimum, but where your circumstances constantly change (for
example if you are self employed), you will find that you are
issued a new bill each time.
I’m paying by direct debit, so why have I been sent a
bill?
You will still receive a bill (showing the instalment details)
even though an automated direct debit payment arrangement has been
agreed. This is because there is a legal requirement to inform you
of the amounts and dates that money will be taken from your
bank/building society account. In these cases, a note will be
placed on the bill stating that it is “for information only”.
Payment details should be checked and the bill retained for your
records.
Direct Debit payers can opt to receive a bill by email rather
than through the post. To apply for this please visit eBilling:
Can I check my Council Tax account balance and payments I have
made to date online?
Yes, by registering with our MyRBKC service.
Why doesn’t the Council send me a reminder every month?
There is no legal requirement to issue a separate reminder for
each month’s payment. To do so would be expensive and this cost
would be passed on to the Council Tax payers, increasing the amount
to be paid. Where a reminder is sent, information is provided
detailing which payments are outstanding and what will happen
should the instalments not be brought up to date.
You can avoid receiving reminders altogether by signing up to
Direct Debit.
Why am I paying a garden charge? How do I get access or a key
to the garden enclosure or square? What if I do not want to use the
garden?
Generally, if your property (or apartment block) is situated
next to, or in a line with, one of the enclosed garden squares, you
will be asked to pay an additional amount on your Council Tax bill
(even if you do not wish to use the garden). This extra money is
used for the upkeep and maintenance of the garden square. The
amount payable is decided by the respective garden square committee
and not the Council. Access keys for the garden squares can usually
be obtained by writing to the relevant garden committee. For
further information and details of whom to contact, please the
garden square information page.
What are the contact details for the Council Tax office?
By phone: 020 7361 3005
email@ counciltax@rbkc.gov.uk
faxes: 020 7368 0303
Written enquiries: Council Tax Services, PO Box 10413, The Town
Hall, Hornton Street, W8 7WT
Personal callers to Customer Service Centre, Town Hall, Hornton
Street, W8 7NX.
Opening times: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm