In this section you can find out about how to pay your council tax, and what happens if you don't pay. Please note all payments are due by the 1st of the month unless you opt to pay by direct debit.
If you have a bank or building society account, direct debit is the easiest and safest way to pay.
Setting up a direct debit means that payments are made directly from your bank or building society account.
We will tell you how much the payment will be, and you can cancel the instruction at any time.
It also brings the following advantages:
You can spread your payments until the end of March, giving you more time to pay.
You can choose to pay on the first, 18th or 28th of the month, and now weekly each Friday. Weekly payments are especially convenient if you get paid weekly, or receive benefits and other income during the middle of the week.
You don't have to write cheques or worry about paperwork or postage. You don't need to fill in another form or set up new payments each year -we do this for you.
If there is a mistake, you can get a refund immediately from your bank or building society.
Paying online
Our secure online form is available 24 hours a day. You will be taken to our secure site, where you will be asked for your card details.
This system validates your account details before your payment is completed, ensuring that your payment is allocated swiftly.
If you provide your email address we will send you an automated receipt or your payment.
Credit card surcharge
If you pay by credit card, you will pay a surcharge of 1.9 per cent of the transaction value. Debit card payments do not incur a surcharge.
Other ways to pay
You can also pay your council tax in the following ways:
Cash
Find your nearest Post Office.
PayPoint
Find your nearest PayPoint agent.
Cheque
Post Office. You will need either your bill with a barcode on it. Make cheques payable to Post Office Ltd.
Find your nearest Post Office.
By post to: London Borough of Lewisham, Council Tax, PO Box 1221, London SE6 4RT (this address is for payments only).
Please make cheques payable to London Borough of Lewisham and write your eight-digit account number, which starts with a 4, on the back of your cheque. We need this number to allocate your payment to your account. Receipts can only be returned if you provide a stamped self addressed envelope. Allow seven days for your payment to reach us. Please note that we cannot accept post-dated cheques.
Standing order
Your bank or building society will make the payment, but you have to tell them each year how much and when to pay.
Download a council tax standing order form and take it to your bank or building society.
Overpayment
If you have overpaid your council tax you can claim a refund by downloading the refund form below and returning it to us.
Debit card or credit card
Find your nearest Post Office.
- By telephone: use our automated 24-hour TouchTone service: 020 8690 8707.
You will need your eight-digit council tax account number and your card details. If you pay by credit card a surcharge of 1.9 per cent will be added to the amount you pay. There is no charge for debit card payments.