Published: Friday 20 March 2026
Following the criminal cyber attack on the Council in November 2025, we had to pause direct debit collection for council tax while we isolated our systems to keep them safe. At the time, we asked residents to keep funds available in their accounts for when we could collect payments by direct debit again.
Now we are able to collect payments again and have written to residents who have chosen to pay by direct debit to inform them of their outstanding bill. This one payment is higher than the normal monthly payments and covers any payments that would have ordinarily been collected between 24 November 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Advice for residents
If a direct debit payment has already been taken from your bank and you can’t afford it, please contact the bank to claim a refund.
If you are struggling to pay, please pay as much as you can afford. You can choose to spread payments over March, April and May 2026.
Unfortunately our online payment service is still unavailable, but payment can be made by bank transfer to our bank account:
- Our bank account number: 00000000
- Our sort code is: 57-20-24
or by calling our automated payment line, 020 3974 4670.
Use your council tax account number which can found at the top of your bill as your reference when making payment. If this still doesn’t clear the bill, we will work with you to put payment plans in place when our systems are fully back up and running.
We are running two drop-in days, where there will be information, advice and guidance. Both sessions are from 10am to 5pm.
- Friday 27 March 2026 at the Venture Centre, 103a Wornington Rd, London W10 5YB.
- Tuesday 31 March 2026 at Chelsea Theatre, Worlds End Place, London, SW10 0DR.
To speak with a member of our council tax team, call 020 7361 3005 or email [email protected].
Below are some of the organisations we work with:
- AgeUK website, email [email protected], or call 020 8969 9105.
- Citizens Advice Kensington and Chelsea website, email [email protected] or call 0808 278 7982.
- Nucleus Legal Advice Centre website, email [email protected], or call 020 7373 4005.
Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said:
“Collecting council tax payments is important so that we can continue to provide the high quality services our residents deserve. I am so grateful for the patience people have shown while we recover from the cyber attack, and to those who have already paid their bill – thank you.
“I know a backdated bill can feel daunting. We understand if people are unable to pay all at once and residents can spread payments out to make clearing the outstanding balance manageable for their household budgets.
“We are providing additional support alongside our voluntary sector partners and arranging drop-in sessions for people to get help with their individual circumstances. I am confident that the support we have put in place will protect those most at risk.”
Payments so far
We have issued around 26,000 bills so far in March 2026 and received just under 25,000 payments, collecting over £12 million in council tax. We have identified approximately 1,500 households who may need additional help and are getting in touch with those households directly. The 9,000 households in full receipt of Council Tax Reduction are not affected, and not being billed.
Our 2026/27 bills will not be issued until early summer.