What happens if you don't pay

If you don't pay, or fail to agree a revised payment schedule, we'll take the following steps:

  1. As soon as you miss a payment, we'll send you a reminder
  2. If you don't bring your instalments up to date within seven days of receiving the reminder, you'll lose the right to pay by instalments
  3. If you pay the amount requested on the reminder, we'll take no further action
  4. If you fall behind again, we'll send you a notice that'll cancel your right to pay by instalments.

Summons and court order

If you still fail to pay we'll issue a summons through the Magistrates' Court. We'll add the cost of issuing this summons to your account. If the debt isn't settled in full by the time of the court hearing, we'll get a liability order for the outstanding balance. We'll then charge you the costs.

We can enforce the liability order in a variety of ways, all involving extra costs for you. These include:

  • having Enforcement Agents seize your assets
  • starting bankruptcy or winding up proceedings against you
  • charging you for wilful non-payment, which can carry a prison sentence.

Making an agreement

If you make an agreement with us before the court hearing date, you'll not have to go to court.

Even if you arrange to pay the outstanding debt before the court hearing date, we'll still get a liability order against you. As long as you keep to your agreement with us, no further enforcement action will be taken.