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Money Claim for Unpaid Council Tax
If you have had to pay council tax that your tenant should have covered, this guide helps you check liability first and then recover the right amount in a clearer claim.
Build the notice, service file, court pack, claim pack, or tenancy document around your facts before you pay.
- Answer plain-English questions and get documents built around your case, not a blank template.
- Preview the pack before payment, fix the facts, and regenerate without starting again.
- Use a fixed-price, instant workflow for the landlord file you actually need.
Start here if you need the main guide on this issue. If your situation is narrower or you want the next practical step, go to tenant not paying rent in the UK.
If you want the wider background first, read landlord money claim guide.
Ready to act? The quickest next step from here is money claim pack for unpaid rent.
For England cases, For rent arrears, a money claim works best when the arrears schedule, letter before claim, and claim particulars all tell the same story. The Money Claim Pack helps you build the claim file before you file. Prepare my money claim.
Claim Unpaid Council Tax from Tenant
When your tenancy agreement makes the tenant liable for council tax they didn't pay, recover the cost through the courts.
When Can You Claim Council Tax?
Critical requirement: You can only claim council tax from your tenant if your tenancy agreement explicitly makes them liable AND the council tax bill was in YOUR name. If the bill was in the tenant's name, the council pursues them directly.
You CAN Claim If:
- Tenancy agreement states tenant pays council tax
- Council tax bill was in your name
- You paid the council (or have to pay)
- HMO where you're liable to council
- Clear calculation of tenant's share
You CANNOT Claim If:
- • Council tax was in tenant's name (council claims)
- • Tenancy agreement says rent is "inclusive"
- • No clause making tenant liable
- • You haven't actually paid the council
- • Tenant was entitled to exemption (students)
- • The liability period doesn't match occupancy
Not sure if your tenant is liable for council tax?
Use our free Ask Heaven landlord Q&A tool to get guidance on council tax liability.
Evidence You Need
Essential Documents
- • Tenancy agreement (council tax clause)
- • Council tax bills in your name
- • Proof of payment to council
- • Tenancy start/end dates
- • Calculation of tenant's share
Supporting Evidence
- • Correspondence requesting payment
- • Letter before action
- • Council confirmation of liability
- • Bank statements (payment proof)
- • Previous successful payments (if any)
Council Tax Claim Evidence Checklist
- Tenancy agreement with council tax clause
- Council tax bills (your name, their period)
- Proof you paid the council
- Calculation of amount claimed
- Previous payment requests to tenant
- Letter before action sent
- Tenancy dates confirmation
- Interest calculation (if applicable)
Start Your Council Tax Claim
The Money Claim Pack includes court documents, pre-action letters, and guidance for recovering council tax costs.
Start Your Claim — £28.99Court fees from £35 extra (based on claim amount)
Council tax claim FAQs for landlords
Frequently Asked Questions
Build the notice, service file, court pack, claim pack, or tenancy document around your facts before you pay.
- Answer plain-English questions and get documents built around your case, not a blank template.
- Preview the pack before payment, fix the facts, and regenerate without starting again.
- Use a fixed-price, instant workflow for the landlord file you actually need.