Unpaid Council Tax - Court Summons and Liability Orders

Summons

If you receive a Council Tax summons, don’t ignore it. Contact the council immediately to discuss your situation and arrange an affordable payment plan.

Call the Recovery Team on 0118 974 6000 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm).

A summons is a legal notice informing you that you’re being taken to court for non-payment. At this stage, costs of £84 for Council Tax are added on top of the original outstanding bill.

The notice includes the amount owed, the period it covers, the court hearing date, and potential costs if a liability order is granted.

Liability Order

A liability order allows the council to take further action to recover unpaid Council Tax, such as using enforcement agents, making deductions from wages or benefits, or applying for bankruptcy.

If granted, additional costs apply: £46 for Council Tax 

You may challenge a summons if you believe it’s incorrect—for example, if you’ve already paid or if procedures weren’t followed. If you're on a low income or have a disability, you may be eligible for Council Tax Reduction.

For free, confidential advice, contact a local support service like Citizens Advice Wokingham. Their details can be found on our Cost of Living page.