What happens if you can't pay your rates

If you do not have a payment arrangement in place for any rates you owe, you should contact LPS to discuss the options available to avoid legal recovery action. Just get in touch using the online form or you can phone LPS directly on 0300 200 7801.

Before you contact LPS

List all the income you have and include:

• take home pay you and your partner receive
• any benefits you and your partner receive
• any money from other people who live with you
• regular income such as a work pension or maintenance

List where your money goes. Your rent or mortgage, rates and home heating bills are the most important debts. These take priority over debts such as credit cards, catalogues and loans.

Payment agreement

Using these lists, you will see how much money you have. This will help LPS come to a rates payment agreement with you.

Fill in the online form to ask LPS to contact you back about an arrangement when LPS phone lines are busy. If you cannot use the form:

• phone: 0300 200 7801 (local rate) or +44 2890 485 784 (outside UK)
• text relay: 18001 0300 200 7801

Help with your rates

There are reliefs and entitlements available to help some ratepayers pay their rate bills.

• Help paying your rates

Get free debt and benefits advice

If you are having financial difficulties, you can let LPS know. LPS will work with ratepayers to find a solution to allow you to pay your rate bill.

You can get information on handling money, dealing with debt and benefits you may be entitled to:

• Housing Rights 
• Step Change Debt Charity
• Law Centre NI Belfast office
• Law Centre NI Western area office
• Advice NI
• Benefit Enquiry Line

If you don't pay your rates

Ratepayers are responsible for paying rates as set out in their rate bill. It is best to pay off rates debt as soon as possible to avoid legal action.

If you don't pay your rate bill or contact LPS to make an arrangement to pay your bill, LPS will take you to court.

• What happens if you don't pay your rates