A survey has revealed that 1.8 million cases were referred to court for liability orders in 2022/23, which rose to 2.1 million in 2023/24—a 14 per cent increase.
Many of these cases are decided in bulk hearings, often leaving debtors unaware of the proceedings against them.
Lewisham Council has the tenth most unpaid council tax, with £62 million owed across all accounts in council tax arrears.
The average debt for councils stands at £997.
London and the South East top the charts for total council tax debt, with £905 million and £786 million owed.
Councils are increasingly turning to bailiffs, with referrals rising sharply by 21 per cent—reaching nearly 1.3 million cases in 2023/24.
The East Midlands saw the sharpest increase in referring residents with council tax arrears to bailiffs, with an increase of 68 per cent compared to the previous year.
London saw a 13 per cent increase in bailiff referrals in 2023/24 compared to 2022/23.
The survey was conducted by Sell House Fast, and the full details can be found on their blog.
A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: “Council tax funds vital services for all local authorities.
“It’s very important that people pay this so we can provide support for our most vulnerable residents, as well as continue the essential services we all need and value such as community safety, parks, libraries, leisure centres, youth services and keeping our streets clean.
“We are committed in Lewisham to working hard in order to recover outstanding council tax debts and as a Council, we try and work with our residents to help them with their payments if needed.”
