How to pay your council tax
You can pay your council tax online, by direct debit, by phone, by post, or in person.
Your bill shows how much council tax you have to pay. Payments should be received on or before the date they are due. Please allow at least three working days for the payment to reach our account.
Customers using the Post Office will have to pay the Post Office standard charge, at present £1.45. However the government is promoting basic bank accounts for the payment of state benefits. You can also use some of these accounts to pay bills such as your council tax.
More information on basic bank accounts is available from post offices, banks and building societies You can also download a fact sheet from the Financial Service Authority's (FSA) website.
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Online
Pay your council tax online on our payments page.
Switch to direct debit
Pay monthly on the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th or 25th of each month.
- It's simple – just call 0845 3000 328 and tell us your bank details.
- It's convenient - choose from six dates every month and no form to fill in.
- It's secure - the direct debit guarantee protects all your payments.
When you phone, we'll take your bank details and set your direct debit up there and then. We'll send you a confirmation letter that includes a copy of the direct debit guarantee. We'll also give you at least ten working days notice of the amounts that will be debited from your bank account. You should continue to make payments as shown on your bill until you are told the direct debit is set up.
If you are unable to phone, you'll find a direct debit form on the back of your bill, or you can download a printable version of the Direct Debit form. Once you've downloaded the form, all you need to do is print it out, complete all the details and post it to:
- Lambeth Council Tax
PO Box 753
Bromley
BR2 9XY.
Your guarantee with Direct Debit
If you choose to pay by direct debit, all your payments are covered by this guarantee.
This guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that take part in the direct debit scheme. The efficiency and security of the scheme is monitored and protected by your own bank or building society.
If the amounts to be paid or the payment dates change, the London Borough of Lambeth will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.
If an error is made by the London Borough of Lambeth, or your bank or building society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid.
You can cancel a direct debit at any time by writing to your bank or building society. Please send us a copy of your letter.
By credit or debit card
Call on 020 8290 2086. You will be connected to an automated touch-tone facility that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Full instructions on using this facility are given in each call.
You can also pay by credit or debit card in person at our customer centres in Brixton and Streatham.
By internet or phone banking
All the information you need is on the back of your bill.
By PayPoint
You can pay in cash only at any PayPoint retailer. You must take your bill or payment booklet with you when you go to pay.
In person
You can pay at any bank, Post Office or PayPoint outlet and we have a cashiers office at:
You must take your payment booklet or bill with you. Please allow at least three working days for the payment to reach our account.
If paying at a Post Office you will have to pay their standard charge. Banks may also make a charge for payment at their branches. PayPoint outlets take cash payment only but the service is free.
Our cashiers offer a free service for payment by cash, cheque or credit and debit cards. Remember, you should take your bill or payment book with you when you go to pay.
The cashiering office at Olive Morris House is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.15pm.
By post
Send a cheque or postal order made payable to 'London Borough of Lambeth' to
- Lambeth Cashiers Service
PO Box 147
Erith
DA8 9BY.
Please write your account number on the back and enclose a payment voucher from your booklet. Do not send cash. Post dated cheques are not accepted.
The council has made more than 100 people bankrupt for not paying their council tax and continues to pursue all avenues against those who refuse to pay. Every pound not paid is a pound we cannot spend on services.