Information on paying Council bills

East Northamptonshire Council offers a convenient and secure way to pay for a number of council services online using a debit or credit card. These services include:

• Council Tax
• Non Domestic Rates
• Housing benefit overpayment
• Planning applications
• Pest control in domestic premises
• Waste management in domestic and commercial premises
• Licenses

From 10 November, all customers who pay any council bill by credit card will incur a 1.8% handling fee. This transaction charge applies to credit card payments only, not debit card payments. Details of this charge will be displayed before you confirm acceptance of your payment and there is an option to cancel the transaction should you wish.

If you wish to make a payment you can use our online payment system.

By applying handling fees, the council can recoup some of the transaction charges it pays to credit card companies when credit cards are used. Just like other businesses, the council needs to identify areas where it can reduce costs and this is a proven method to achieve this cost reduction.

The council won't make money from handling fees, as it will only recoup some of the charges it pays to credit card companies. The handling fee percentage will be set at a level equal to, but not exceeding, the transaction charge levied to the council by credit card companies.

When paying over the internet or by automated telephone, the payment systems will automatically identify whether a card is a credit or debit card and so know whether a handling fee should apply. You will be advised that a handling fee is due to be added before you commit to the payment, as well as the handling fee amount and total payable.

The payment systems will automatically calculate the handling fee for credit card payments using the current handling fee percentage as well as the normal payment amount.

For more information about handling fees, contact the details shown on your bill, invoice or letter.