Rates changes and your payments

The council rating year is 1 July to 30 June. Previously, we sent rates invoices in July, October, January and April. We are now moving to just two invoices each year.

When you receive your invoice in November, it will be at least twice as big as previous rates invoices because it will be for six months (from July to December) not three months as previously. It will also be slightly higher again to account for a likely rates rise that has yet to be adopted by council.

If you pay by direct debit

What is a Direct Debit?

A direct debit is a regular payment that’s approved by you and set up and managed by us at council. It means you can spread the cost of your rates across the whole rating year on a regular day that suits you (weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly) rather than paying at each instalment due date. You don’t have to worry about penalties or due dates or calculate payment amounts yourself because we do this for you, no penalties or late fees apply.

What do I have to do right now?

If you already have a direct debit with us, you don’t have to take any action now.

• Your direct debits will continue the same as last year (weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly).
• Optional you can let us know if you would like to increase your existing direct debit payments by a small amount (for example 4%). This will help to cover some of the likely increase in your rates for this year.

What happens in November?

In November, when we know your rates assessment for the 2024/25 year, we will recalculate your direct debit payments. That new payment amount will include any outstanding rates from the first half of the year spread across the remaining six months. We will inform you of this change and your direct debits will continue as normal.

What happens in future years?

In future years, each July we will send you your rates assessment notice letting you know your rates for the year and what that means for your direct debits. Your direct debits will continue on that basis.

Scheduled Direct Debit Dates

Weekly – Tuesday to Friday (you choose which day)

Fortnightly – Tuesday to Friday (you choose which day)

Monthly – 20th of each month

Quarterly: 20th of August, November, February, May

Due Date: 20th of January, May

If you pay by Automatic Payment

What is an Automatic Payment?

An automatic payment is a regular payment that's set up and controlled by you through your bank for a set amount each time. Although you can manage the payments to suit you (for example weekly, fortnightly or monthly) if there is a change in your rates or you miss a payment, you will need to make the change in your automatic payment yourself or pay a top-up to ensure your invoice is paid in full by each time. Unlike direct debit, a penalty is charged on any outstanding balance after the due date.

What do I have to do right now?

You can continue your automatic payments on the same amount as last year and then make a top-up payment to cover any shortfall amount when you receive your first invoice in November.

Alternatively, you could increase your payments slightly (for example by 4%) and then you will have less to pay in November when you receive your invoice.

In November, you will also have to change your Automatic Payment amount to ensure it covers your full rates assessment for the second half of the year.

What happens in future years?

In future years, each July we will send you your rates assessment notice letting you know your rates for the year and you will need to organise your Automatic Payments so that they clear your rates by each half-yearly due date. We can help with guidance on how to calculate your automatic payments.

Installment due dates

Instalment 1: 20th January

Instalment 2: 20th May

If you pay manually at each due date

If you pay in a one-off payment each year or you pay when you receive each invoice from council (over the counter, online, or by internet banking or credit card), this change will have the most impact on you.

What do I have to do right now?

You need to consider what you can do to be ready for a larger rates invoice in November. Remember – it will be for half of the year and it is likely to be around 10% higher than last year (based on the projected rates rise in the draft LTP).

Consider how you can spread the rates over the whole year, not just when the invoice is due.

• Now is a good time to set up a direct debit – you can divide your rates payments over the whole year with a regular day that suits you – weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly and we will manage the process for you. That way you won’t need to make any additional payments or adjustments or worry about late fees or penalties.
• Organise your own automatic payment directly to us or to a bank account you keep safe from spending so that the funds are set aside when you receive your rates invoice in November.
• Get in touch to talk about how you can start preparing now with our rates team.