Council tax arrears - good practice protocol

Citizens Advice and the Local Government Association (LGA) have pulled together best practice on the collection of council tax arrears and developed this good practice protocol to help local authorities.

Launched on 1 July at the LGA annual conference, the document is highlighted in the Consumer White Paper published in July as an example of protecting vulnerable consumers.

The protocol offers practical steps aimed at preventing people from getting into arrears in the first place and advises on procedures for ensuring that bailiffs act within existing law and guidelines.

Copies of the protocol, together with a covering letter, have been sent to all bureaux and local authorities in England & Wales and a version is also available at the bottom of this page.

New: Collection of council tax arrears good practice protocol update ( 39kb) - one year on