Council Tax Enquiries

Council Tax Enquiries

Select an option from the list below to proceed

Select a topic
  • My name has changed due to marriage
  • My name is spelt incorrectly on my bill
  • Report a name change by deed poll
  • Report that someone has died
  • Request proof of address
  • I want to update my correspondence address
  • I want to cancel a discount or exemption
  • I want to reply to a Council Tax letter or email
  • Add someone else to my bill
  • Apply for a discount or exemption
  • Apply for Council Tax Support
  • Report a change of address
  • Report that a tenant has moved
  • Request a payment arrangement
  • Request a refund
  • Set up or cancel a Direct Debit
  • I have received a Reminder Notice
  • I have received a Final Notice
  • I have received a Summons
  • I want to know who should be responsible for paying Council Tax

Payments

Only payments received by 28th February 2025 are shown on your bill. Check recent payments by logging into your MyHarrow Account.

Credit Balance

If you made a payment after 28th February 2025 and have a credit balance, deduct the overpayment from your 1st April 2025 instalment. Continue paying instalments as shown on your bill from 1st May 2025 onwards.

Changes in Liability

Any changes to your Council Tax liability after 28th February 2025 will not be shown on your annual bill. A new bill will be sent after 1st April 2025. Credit balances as of 28th February 2025 will reduce your 2025/26 instalments.
Bill Explanation: For an explanation of the bill content, see our example bill.
 

Why does my bill show a balance outstanding?

Any outstanding balance from 2024/25 or earlier that has not been subject to court proceedings must be paid by 31st March 2025 unless you have a payment arrangement in place.

 

Check your MyHarrow Account for instalment due dates as there may be a final payment due on a date in March 2025.

 

If you received a Summons and the balance is with Enforcement Agents, contact them to make payment.

 

If your balance is under a payment arrangement, keep it up to date to avoid court proceedings.

 

Balances subject to court proceedings will be marked on your Annual Bill.

Can I get a refund for the credit balance on my account instead of it being used to reduce what I owe for 2025/26?

You can Request a Council Tax Refund.

 

Requesting a refund will increase your 2025/26 monthly payments, and a new bill will be sent after 1st April 2025.

How can I make payment?

Details of how to pay are on the back of the Council Tax Bill, or see Pay your Council Tax

 

If you were previously paying by Direct Debit it will continue unless it has been cancelled.

 Can I pay over 12 months instead of 10?

Yes. You can pay over 12 months if you:

Pay your April instalment first to recalculate the balance over 11 months. Otherwise, your revised bill will have 11 instalments from May 2025 to March 2026, increasing the monthly amount.

 What should I do if I can’t pay on the 1st of the month?

All non-Direct Debit payments must be made by the 1st of each month.

 

If you cannot pay by the 1st, set up a Direct Debit to pay on the 15th or 25th of each month.

 

Set up a Direct Debit

Can I stop the 1st of April Direct Debit from being collected?

Contact your bank to cancel the Direct Debit instruction.

 

 To pay by Direct Debit in the future, you will need to Set up a new Direct Debit.

Why doesn't my bill show my discount/exemption/relief?

If you recently applied for a Council Tax reduction, it might still be processing.

 

Continue to pay as instructed until you receive a revised bill.

 

If awarded a full exemption and your account is in credit, you can request a refund.

 

Check if the discount/exemption/relief has been applied on your MyHarrow Account.

 

 For details on discounts or exemptions, see Council Tax discounts and exemptions. You can upload your application using our Evidence Form.

What is the Premium showing on my bill?

The London Borough of Harrow charges a premium on long-term empty dwellings. These are homes that are no one's sole or main residence unoccupied and that have been substantially unfurnished for at least one year. The one-year period starts from the date the property first became empty. It does not restart if there is a change of owner.

 

Properties which have remained empty for at least one year will be charged an additional 100%, properties which have remained empty for at least five years, but less than ten years will be charged an additional 200% and for properties which have remained empty for at least ten years will be charged an additional 300%.

 

The premium is in addition to the usual Council Tax charge.

 

There is no right to appeal the level of the premium determined by the Council. You can appeal, however, if you believe that:

  1. you are not liable for the Council Tax; or
  2. the premium has been applied incorrectly

Are there exemptions from having to pay a premium for an unoccupied and substantially unfurnished home?

From 1st April 25, the Government introduced a range of exceptions (i.e. exemptions) for which the above premium will not be payable if the criteria are met.  The exceptions do not apply retrospectively, and an application must be made for an exception to be considered.  A summary of the exceptions concerned is given below.

 

  • The property is or would be someone’s sole or main residence if that person were not residing in job-related armed forces accommodation elsewhere. 
  • The property is an annexe forming part of, or being treated as part of, the main dwelling.
  • The property is being actively marketed for sale.  (This is subject to a 12-month exemption limit).
  • The property is being actively marketed for letting. (This is subject to a 12-month exemption limit).   
  • The property is an unoccupied dwelling that was exempt from Council Tax under Class F (i.e. where probate has recently been granted or letters of administration issued). This is subject to a 12-month limit from the grant of probate or letters of administration).
  • The property requires or is undergoing major repairs or structural alterations.  (This is subject to a 12-month exemption limit).

 

An application form and further information on Premiums can be found at Council tax empty property premium.

Unoccupied Furnished Properties / Second Homes

From 1st April 2025, properties that are no ones sole or main residence and substantially furnished, shall also be subject to a 100% Council Tax premium.

 

A Premium may not, however, be payable in the following circumstances:

  • The property concerned is or would be someone’s sole or main residence if they were not residing in job-related armed forces accommodation,
  • The property is an annexe forming part of, or being treated as part of, the main dwelling,
  • The property is being actively marketed for sale, subject to a 12-month limit,
  • The property is being actively marketed for letting subject to a 12-month limit, 
  • The property is an unoccupied dwelling that was exempt from Council Tax under Class F (i.e. where probate has recently been granted) subject to a 12-month limit from the grant of probate or letters of administration,
  • The property is job related, 
  • Occupied caravan pitches and boat moorings,
  • The property is a seasonal home where year-round permanent occupation is prohibited, specified for use as holiday accommodation, or subject to a planning condition preventing occupancy for more than 28 days continuously.

An application form and further information on Premiums can be found at Council tax empty property premium – London Borough of Harrow

My property is now occupied / I’ve moved out/sold my property

Complete the online Move in/out form.

 

You will receive a revised or new bill as confirmation.

Can I get help to pay if I have a low income?

Check if you can get Council Tax Support.

 

Check your entitlement using the Benefits calculator

 

The Council Tax Support scheme may differ from other Local Authorities.

Will my bill show my Council Tax Support entitlement?

If you have previously applied for and become entitled to Council Tax Support, it will be automatically calculated for 2025/26 based upon your circumstances known to us.

 

If you recently submitted a new claim or change, pay as shown on your most recent bill until you receive a revised bill.

I don’t agree with how much Council Tax Support I am getting

View your entitlement on your MyHarrow Account.

 

If you believe your Council Tax Support in incorrect, write to the Council outlining your reasons and provide supporting documentation. For details on how to submit a dispute, see Council Tax Support Disputes.

 

If unsatisfied, appeal to an independent Valuation Tribunal within two months. Continue to pay your bill during the appeal.

Why is there not a separate amount for financing Adult Social Care on my bill this year?

The government has prescribed that the amounts for Adult Social Care should be comprised within the total amount payable to the billing authority (London Borough of Harrow) for Council Tax billing purposes.

 

The amount shown on your 2025/26 bill for London Borough of Harrow includes an amount for Adult Social Care.

 

Further information can be found in the Council Tax and Business Rates Guide 2025/26.

Why have I been charged for GLA?

I don’t agree with my Council Tax Valuation Band

Contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) with evidence or call 03000 501 501.

I’ve got an appeal outstanding for my Valuation Band; do I have to pay this bill?

Yes, pay the current bill until a decision is reached and you receive a revised bill.

 

How can I contact the Council about my Council Tax?

You may find the answer to your query on our Council Tax webpages

 

Submit an enquiry using our Evidence form

 

Contact details are also on your bill.

I am a Ukrainian National privately renting a home in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme

Apply for up to a 50% discount if you fall under the scheme. For details see Council Tax Discounts and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

 

I am currently experiencing difficulty in meeting my Council Tax payments

Contact the Council as soon as possible using the Evidence Form or visit Greenhill Library.

It may be possible to arrange a short-term payment plan and or review for whether you may be entitled to a reduction.

 

Where can I get assistance with my Council Tax enquiry?

Staff at Greenhill Library can help you access online services.

 

Address: Greenhill Library, Perceval Square, College Road, Harrow, HA1 1GX.

 

Service available Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm (main library hours may differ).

 

Services include submitting enquiries, informing changes, making cashless payments, and submitting documents (which will be scanned for electronic access) at the library.

 

The Harrow Register Office for births, deaths, and marriages is also situated at Greenhill Library and is located in ‘The Pavilion’ next door to the main Library service.

 

99% of our customer interactions are now online or over the telephone. If you have an enquiry relating to Council Tax, you may wish to first visit our Council Tax webpages.