How to pay your Council Tax

Council Tax bills are issued every March, or when you become liable for a property.

There are many ways to pay your bill. You should contact us as soon as possible if you're struggling to afford your payments.

Pay online

Check your balance

You can check your balance online if you have a Richmond Account. You can read our Richmond Account guide to find out how it works.

Payment dates and instalments

Council Tax bills are issued with a monthly payment plan to be paid by the 1st of each month, or for Direct Debit customers either the 1st or 18th of the month.

Normally payments are made monthly between April and January. You can also apply to spread the balance over 12 monthly instalments.

Refunds

If you think we owe you money, you should complete our form to claim a refund.

Direct Debit

This is the easiest way to pay. You can set up a Direct Debit in a number of ways.

You will need your:

• Bank details
• Council Tax account reference

Set up a Direct Debit online

You must be registered for Council Tax to set up a Direct Debit. If you are not already registered, you need to set up your Council Tax account, and you can choose to pay by Direct Debit.

If you already have a Council Tax account, but wish to pay by Direct Debit, submit a form to set up a Council Tax Direct Debit.

Once set up, you will get a confirmation email.

Set up a Direct Debit by telephone

Call 020 8891 1411.

Once set up, you will get a confirmation letter in a few days and a bill showing your instalments.

Set up a Direct Debit by post

Download and complete the Direct Debit form(pdf, 29KB)

Once completed and signed, return the form to our offices. You must complete all parts of the form including the official use box.

By completing the Direct Debit form you are giving us permission to collect payments from your bank account.

• We will tell you well in advance of the amounts and dates of payments
• You stay in complete control and benefit from guaranteed safeguards. See the Direct Debit Guarantee at the bottom of the form

Updating your Direct Debit

If you want to change the bank account your Council Tax is paid from, you will need to set up a new Direct Debit.

Benefits of Direct Debit

Paying by Direct Debit has many advantages:

• You stay in control, by knowing in advance what you will be paying and when. You are free to cancel the arrangement at any time
• It is more secure and reliable
• Most people find it more convenient, as there is no need to remember to pay, no cheques to write, and no stamps or queuing
• It is much cheaper for us to administer

Online payment

You can make a Council Tax payment online via a secure site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

You will need:

• Your Council Tax account reference
• The amount to pay
• Your credit or debit card

Telephone payment

You can call our dedicated line on 020 8045 1171 to make a payment.

This is an automated line that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You will need your:

• Council Tax account reference
• Credit or debit card

Bank transfer

You can pay your Council Tax with telephone or online banking.

You will need your Council Tax account reference, and these payment details:

• Account number: 63459493 
• Sort code: 60-22-03

Bank transfers from abroad

To make a payment from abroad, you will need:

• IBAN: GB84 NWBK 60220363459493
• BIC code: NWBK GB2L

You will also need to quote your Council Tax account reference in the bank reference field.

Paying at a bank

You can pay by cash or cheque at your own bank taking your paying-in slip with you.

Cheques should be made payable to LBRUT. Some banks may charge you for this service.

Paying at a Post Office

You can pay free of charge by cash, cheque or debit card at any Post Office.

You must take your bill with you as the Post Office will need to read the barcode on it.

If you pay by cheque, make it payable to Post Office Ltd.

You can find your nearest Post Office.

Paying at a PayPoint

You can pay free of charge by cash at any PayPoint outlet in the country.

You must take your bill with you as PayPoint will need to read the barcode on it. 

Paying by post

You can send us a cheque with your paying-in slip. Cheques should be made payable to LBRUT.

On the back of your cheque, include your:

• Name
• Address
• Council Tax account reference

Send it to:

Richmond upon Thames
Civic Centre
44 York Street
Twickenham
TW1 3BZ

We will only send a receipt if you enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your payment.