Help paying council tax
There are several different ways you can get help to pay your Council Tax.
Help with rent/mortgage
Help with rent
We recognise that tenants may suffer money problems and can fall into arrears for many different reasons.
Our Housing Income team are there to help, telephone 01474 337970 to speak to the team, they can help you:
- Make an agreement to get you back on track with your rent payments.
- Offer us a reasonable amount weekly that's more affordable until you are back on track.
- Check your entitlement to housing benefit using the GOV.UK benefit calculators.
If you get income support, income based job-seekers allowance or employment support allowance, you can have a standard amount taken deducted weekly and paid direct to us for rent arrears. If you are issued with an eviction date because you haven't been paying please contact us immediately for help. It won't be too late to try to get you some help.
Rent arrears
It's important that you keep up to date with your rent payments. If you don't, you'll end up you'll end up in rent arrears.
Get advice if you are having difficulty paying your rent or in arrears, from:
Help with mortgage
If you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on:
- your mortgage
- loans taken out for repairs and improvements to your home
This help is called Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).
Visit GOV.UK for more information on help with mortgages.
Help to pay gas, electric and water
You might be able to get help if you’re struggling to afford your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter. The help you get depends on:
- how you pay for your energy
- the type of energy you use
- if you claim benefits
Visit GOV.UK for more information on help with paying gas, electric and water.
Find ways to save energy in your home
If you own a property in England or Wales you can get recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm.
For each recommendation you can see:
- an estimated cost of making the improvement
- how much you could save on your bills
- next steps if you want to make the improvement
Visit for more information on energy saving tips.
Get advice on how to save energy in our home
Saving energy is a key part of reducing your energy bills. Learn more about how to save energy within your household.
Find Ways to Save Energy in Your Home
Telephone: 0800 098 7950
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except bank holidays)
Saturday, 9am to 12pm
Citizens advice
If you need help with energy bills, visit Citizens advice's website for guidance.
Alternative Fuels for heating
Visit the GOV.UK website for information on alternative fuels for heating.
Help with broadband/phone bills
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.
Ofcom provide information and advice.
BT has cheaper landline options, for eligible households.
Help with your energy bills
We know that many of our residents, especially those on low incomes or with vulnerabilities can face living in cold, poorly insulated homes. With the cost of gas and electricity going up now is the time to review your energy consumption.
You may be entitled to claim for discounts or help towards energy bills if you are:
- are on a low household income
- claiming specific benefits
- have a medical condition which makes you vulnerable to the cold
Cold weather payments
Cold weather payments are different from winter fuel payments. It depends on forecasted cold weather spells that last for 7 consecutive days. The scheme will reopen in November 2023 .
Warm Home Discount Scheme
You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income
Learn more about the warm home discount scheme.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born before 25 September 1957 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
Find out more about winter fuel payments.