Summonses and Liability orders

If you don't respond to reminders to pay your Council Tax, you will get a court summons.

Contact us immediately if you believe that:

• you are not liable for this amount, or
• have recently made a payment

If payment is made to the Council in full (including the costs) before the court hearing date, we won’t take any more action.

How to contact us about a summons

• send us an email and title your email "summons enquiry"
• call us on 020 8770 5000, or
• write to:

Council Tax Team
Civic Offices
St Nicholas Way
Sutton
SM1 1EA

Receiving a summons

The summons will tell you:

• how much you owe
• the date of the court hearing

The cost for issuing a summons is £110.00 and will be added to the amount you owe.

Payment arrangements

We may be able to resolve the matter before the court hearing date. 

If you can’t pay the full amount, contact us immediately to make a special payment arrangement.

Whos responsible

Usually you'll be held jointly responsible for the full amount payable, if you are:

• a couple who are married or living together as husband and wife or in a civil partnership
• joint owners
• joint tenants 

The court hearing 

If the Magistrates decide that the amount owing is correct and that you have not paid the full amount, it will grant the Council a liability order.

If you attend court, you may be interviewed by a Council employee to determine a payment plan.

Attending court

There are Covid-19 restrictions in place for attending the Magistrates’ Court. You must contact the Council on 020 8770 5000 to pre-book a virtual appearance. 

The Court will not consider any proposals for payment at the virtual hearing.

You do not need to appear unless you want to dispute the amount shown on the summons.

Liability orders

The liability order gives the Council powers to collect any outstanding debt.

It is not a County Court Judgement and will not affect your credit rating. 

If we get a liability order on the hearing date, you will owe us an extra £20.00.