How to pay
For all methods of payment, other than direct debit your council tax is due on the 1st of each month. The council tax year runs from 1st April to 31st March of the next year.
An annual council tax bill can be paid over:
- 10 instalments. Your bill will be divided in to 10 equal instalments (your first instalment may vary by a small amount) and you will get a “payment holiday” in February and March.
- 12 instalments. Your bill will be divided in to 12 equal instalments (the first instalment may vary slightly), so the total amount you pay will be the same but your monthly instalment will be lower. You will not have a February / March “payment holiday”. If you wish to pay over 12 instalments please complete the following online form: Application to pay by additional instalments
- 2 instalments - to be received by 1st May and 1st September.
- 1 instalment - payment in full by 1st May.
Information on the different ways that you can pay your council tax is provided in this section.
Direct debit
This is the easiest and simplest way to pay. To set up a direct debit please complete our online form below:
(You will need to enter your council tax account number and bank details)
Direct debits can be set up for the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st or 28th of each month
If you want up to 12 instalments, starting in April and ending in March, please call the office on 01277 312500.
Unless you request otherwise, your direct debit will only relate to future instalments. If you have any arrears outstanding you should contact the office to pay any outstanding amounts.
Once you have set up your direct debit, that’s all you do for this year and every year thereafter.
Please note that if you have two unpaid direct debit payments in one financial year the option to pay by direct debit will be withdrawn and you will need to make payment of Council Tax by a different method.
Pay online
Paying on line is easy, quick and secure. To make a payment online, use the link below.
(Receive a receipt by email by entering your e-mail address on the payment details page of the form)
If you require further assistance when making an online payment, please call the Customer Enquiries Team on 01277 312500 (during office hours)
Payment by phone
Telephone – 0345 2001173 is our dedicated 24 hour automated telephone line for payments. Calls cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02).
Calls from landlines are typically charged up to 9p per minute; calls from mobiles typically cost between 3p and 40p per minute depending on your network provider. Calls from landlines and mobiles are normally included in free call packages.
Faster payments/direct credits
Although the payment will be received into the Council's bank account within 24 hours, please allow 5 days for the Council to credit your council tax account. Payments are due on 1st of each month.
The Council’s bank is:
Lloyds Bank PLC
Sort Code: 30-91-17
Account Number: 01731291
Account Name: Brentwood Borough Council
You should quote your full council tax account number as your reference number.
Payment by post
Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to Brentwood Borough Council. Please ensure that your account number, name and address is clearly written on the back of your cheque.
Payment should be sent to:
Financial Services Department, Town Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 8AY.
Payments by bankers standing order
As payment must be received by the Council by the 1 of the month, please allow 5 days for processing the payment to your account.
The Council’s bank is:
Lloyds Bank PLC
Sort Code: 30-91-17
Account Number: 01731291
Account Name: Brentwood Borough Council
You should quote your full council tax account number as your reference number.
As a general rule, the Council does not supply personalised bank or Post Office giro credit slips, as there is not sufficient demand to make the processing of such vouchers cost effective.