Rates are set and charged annually at 1 July every year and are invoiced in four instalments with the due dates for payment being: 

Rates payments will be attached to the oldest debt first.

Penalties

Pursuant to sections 57 and 58 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, Council may apply penalties as follows:

Instalment 1
(a)  A penalty charge of 10 percent (10%) on any part of Instalment 1 that has been assessed for the financial year commencing 1 July 2026 and which remains unpaid after 5pm on the due date for payment of that instalment, to be added on the penalty date -  2 September 2026

Other instalments
(b)  A penalty charge of 10 percent (10%) on any part of Instalment 2, Instalment 3 or Instalment 4 that has been assessed for the financial year commencing 1 July 2026 and which remains unpaid after 5pm on the due date for payment of that instalment, to be added on the penalty dates below:

Instalment 2         2 December 2026

Instalment 3         2 March 2027

Instalment 4         2 June 2027

(c) A further penalty charge of 10 percent (10%) on any part of any rates assessed before 1 July 2026 that remains unpaid on 1 July 2026, to be added on 7 July 2026.

(d)  No penalties will be charged where a ratepayer is paying rates by direct debit or where there is an approved payment arrangement in place.

What can I do if I have difficulty paying my rates?

We recognise that some ratepayers may face difficulties paying their rates bill. There are a variety of payment options available to help pay your rates and pay off  any outstanding amounts. 

View more information here or call us on 0800 932 4357 to discuss setting up a payment arrangement.