The council is responsible for collecting business rates from all ratepayers in the area. There are a number of ways you can pay...

How to Pay

• Council tax payers are entitled to pay their council tax liability by instalments. There will normally be 10 instalments - 1st April to 1st January  - but the number will reduce as we go through the year (for example, if your account is set up in August the total liability will be divided over instalments from 1st September to 1st February). If you would like your instalments to be calculated in a different way (perhaps to pay in just 2 instalments), please contact customer.services@hertsmere.gov.uk.
• The council strongly recommends DIRECT DEBIT as the most efficient and cheapest method of paying your council tax. There are two instalment dates to choose from: the 1st or 15th of the month. Instalments are normally due and payable April through to January each financial year. Where instalment amounts change (for example, at the start of a new financial year), the new amounts are deducted automatically and you will be notified of the new amount. Please contact the Council Tax section if you wish to pay by this method. You can download a direct debit mandate.
• Payment can also be made in the following ways:

ONLINE PAYMENTS: Pay here.

BANK: No charge will be payable by you if you pay at any branch of Barclays Bank in the Hertsmere area, or at your own bank branch.

You will need to complete a bank giro credit slip and quote the council's bank details as follows:- Sort Code 20-74-09 and bank account number 90510726. Please remember to quote your non-domestic rates account reference number with the payment. This can be found on the front of your bill.

PAYMENTS BY TELEPHONE: Call T: 0208 207 7575

The council has an automated telephone payment service, for payments by debit or credit card. Lines are closed between 5.15pm and 5.30pm, but are available at all other times.

You can pay your bill by telephone using the following Debit/Credit cards.

• Debit Cards (no charge)
  • VISA DELTA
  • VISA ELECTRON
  • UK MAESTRO
  • SWITCH SOLO
• Credit Cards (subject to a 1.45% charge)
  • VISA
  • MASTERCARD

To make a payment, please telephone 0208 207 7575. You will be asked to provide us the following information:

• Your council tax reference number
• The amount you wish to pay
• Your card number
• Your card expiry date
• Your card issue number (for debit cards).

You will be given a receipt number at the end of the call (for example TELE 01999999), which is confirmation that your payment has been successfully made.

Barcoded Bills

 The council is now using barcoded bills for :

·  Council Tax
·  Business Rates
·  Benefits Overpayments

Bank giro credit instalment slips are no longer available – these have been replaced by the new barcoded bills.
 
The change means that barcoded bills can be paid at any Post Office  or any local shop displaying the ‘PayPoint’ sign  in the window or at the till.
 
In Hertsmere there are more than 40 places where you can now pay your bill, and more than 34,000 locations across the UK (12000+ Post Offices and 22500+ PayPoint outlets).
 
Cash and cheque payments can be made for FREE at all Post Office or PayPoint outlets.
 
To make a payment, all you need to do is take your bill or invoice to any Post Office or PayPoint outlet, along with your payment. Hand it to the assistant for them to scan the barcode and then give them your payment, stating how much you want to pay. (You will need to ensure you know the amount you wish to pay, as the staff at these locations will not have access to this information or any of your account details). Once your payment has been processed they will give you your bill back, along with a receipt, which you should keep in a safe place to help you keep track of your payments.
 
As well as being open Monday to Friday many Post Offices are open on Saturday mornings and most of the PayPoint shops are also open in the evenings and at weekends, so you will be able to pay at a time and place that suits you.
 
Please note that cash payments are not accepted at the council offices. Also, please do not send cash through the post as this is not secure.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can I change to pay by Direct Debit?
 
Many council bills and invoices can be paid by Direct Debit. If you have a bank or building society current account this is often the easiest way to pay. The council strongly recommends Direct Debit as the most efficient and cheapest method of paying your council tax or business rates. There are two instalment dates to choose from: the 1st or 15th of the month. Instalments are normally due and payable April through to January each financial year. Where instalment amounts change (for example, at the start of a new financial year), the new amounts are deducted automatically and you will be notified of the new amount. Please contact the Council Tax section if you wish to pay by this method. You can also download a direct debit mandate here.
 
Can I pay if I’ve forgotten to bring my barcoded bill or invoice?
 
Unfortunately not. All payments need the barcode to ensure your money gets to your account and outlets will be unable to process your payment without it.
 
How can I contact you with any questions I may have about payments to you?
 
If you are not sure how much you should be paying, or have any other questions about your new barcoded bill or invoice, please contact us on 020 8207 2277 or by email at customer.services@hertsmere.gov.uk  
 
How do I pay with my barcoded bill or invoice?    
  
There are three simple steps to follow:
1. Take your bill or invoice to any Post Office or PayPoint outlet, along with your payment.
2. Hand it to the assistant for them to scan the barcode and then give them your payment, stating how much you want to pay. (Please note that the assistant will not have access to any information about your account or how much you have to pay).
3. Once your payment has been processed they will give you your bill back, along with a receipt. Please keep your receipts in a safe place to help you keep track of your payments.
 
How long should I keep my receipts for?
 
If you pay by cheque you should retain your receipt until the cheque payment shows as paid on your bank statement. If you pay by cash we recommend you keep your receipt until you next confirm your balance, or until your next bill arrives, or for 12 months, whichever is soonest.
 
How quickly will my payment reach my account?
 
Payments will usually take three working days to reach your account (i.e. excluding Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays), so please make sure you pay in good time, before your Council Tax, Business Rates or invoice is due.
 
How well established is this method of payment?
 
Barcoded bills and invoices use the Co-operative Bank’s Payment Collection Service, through their partner networks PayPoint and the Post Office. There are over 12,000 Post Offices and 22,500 PayPoint outlets accepting these payments across the UK.
 
How will I know my balance?
 
If you ever have any queries about your balance or payments simply call us on 020 8207 2277 or e-mail us at customer.services@hertsmere.gov.uk.
 
What are the advantages of barcoded bills over Bank Giro Credits?
 
Banks and Post Offices often charge bill payers an administration fee for accepting payments made using a giro credit. When paying with barcoded bills there will be no charge for customers paying by cash Post Offices and at PayPoint outlets. Barcoded bills also generally offer a wider choice of payment locations and opening times.
 
What happens if I lose my bill or invoice or it gets damaged?
 
Simply contact us on 020 8207 2277 and we will arrange for a replacement to be sent to you.
 
What hours are the shops open?
 
Most Post Offices are open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and often on Saturday mornings as well. Many of the PayPoint shops are open from early in the morning to late in the evening plus at weekends and on bank holidays, so you will be able to pay at a time and place that suits you.
 
For specific PayPoint outlet opening hours please view the PayPoint web pages and for specific Post Office opening hours please see the Post Office web pages.
 
Does the council accept cash payments at their offices?
 
No. Cash payments are not accepted at the council offices. Also, please do not send cash through the post as this is not secure. You will be able to pay with cash at any Post Office or PayPoint facility from 1 October 2011.
 
Where can I pay?
 
You can pay with your barcoded bill or invoice at any Post Office or PayPoint outlet in the country. Please see this list for details of over 40 places to pay in Hertsmere, or see the  PayPoint or Post Office web pages where you can search by postcode for a list of outlets in a particular area elsewhere in the UK.
 
Why are you changing the way we pay?
 
Payments made by cash and via the Bank Giro credit slip instalment books are both costly to produce and administer, and the use of them has fallen in recent years.

The introduction of barcoded bills will make it easier and more convenient for customers to pay, offering greater choice and freedom for customers to make payments at a time and in a place which suits them best.  There are more than 40 places locally where you will be able to pay as well as thousands more UK-wide. 
 
Will I get charged to pay by barcoded bill or invoice?
 
Cash and cheque payments can be made for FREE at all PayPoint and Post Office outlets.
 
Will I still have instalment slips?
 
Instalment slips will no longer be available for Council Tax and Business Rates bills, these have been replaced by the new barcoded bills.