Council tax text and voice messaging service
Have you received a Council Tax text or voice message reminder?
The Council Tax service sends out a text or voice reminder if your account falls into arrears. This service is used to prompt and enable you to prevent yourselves from falling deeper into arrears. As a Council Tax account holder, it is your responsibility to ensure that your Council Tax is paid on time.
We are aware how the current cost of living crisis is impacting our residents, and we want to do everything we can to prevent residents getting into arrears by engaging early and doing what we can to help while trying to collect Council Tax.
If your Council Tax account falls into arrears and payments are late, the council may send a text or voice message before taking further recovery action.
A text or voice message reminder can avoid a formal notice being sent if the payment is made promptly and could avoid you incurring costs being added to your account.
Whilst this service is offered to prevent customers from falling further into arrears, it should not be relied upon and may not always be available. Payments should reach your account by the due date in line with the bill issued and failure to do so may result in automated recovery action being taken.
- The text messages are sent by Luton Borough Council and will show as Luton BC
- There will be a URL with the prefix of https:// and have www.luton.gov.uk/payit, the link will direct you to our website so you can make a payment
- You may receive a voice message from the telephone number 01582 952217
Voicescape and voice messages
The Voicescape technology will allow us to increase communication with our Council Taxpayers and focus on those customers with the greatest need.
We'll be running campaigns to engage with Council Taxpayers who may have fallen behind with payments.
A free outbound telephone service will give customers the opportunity to discuss outstanding Council Tax before any further action is taken and costs incurred.
Support may be available and a dedicated member of the Council Tax team will be available to discuss matters that may be preventing you from paying your Council Tax.
You may receive a call from the telephone number 01582 952217, which will invite you to speak directly to one of the Council Tax team. The agent will not be able to take payment but will direct you to our secure payment line as advertised on your bill.
Manage your Council Tax account online and view your bills, payments made and make payment arrangements by visiting Manage your Council Tax
We will not send you any other marketing messages regarding your Council Tax.
We will contact you on a number that we have on file for you.
If you have any concerns regarding the genuine nature of text messages or voice calls, you can make payments via the Council’s website or your secure online account.
Please view our Privacy statement by visiting Council Tax privacy notice
If you are finding it difficult to pay your Council Tax, we may be able to provide support. Find out what type of Council Tax reduction is available including discounts and exemptions.
You can also calculate your Council Tax reduction by using our benefits calculator to get an estimate of how much Council Tax reduction or Second adult reduction you could get
We know that many residents are struggling to make ends meet during this crisis, and that extra support is needed to help you during this difficult time. Whatever your specific challenges or needs, we’re here to help. Please refer to the Cost of living crisis support section of our website.
If you would like to see how much Council Tax you must pay including information on how to appeal your band or bill, for further information please refer to our How Council Tax is calculated page.
If we already have your mobile number, we’ll have signed you up for this service automatically.
If you would like to opt-out of receiving the text messages or inform us that your contact number has changed; you can manage Council Tax SMS text messages to tell us about your preferences.