Last reviewed: May 2026
Quick answer: The current Leicester City Council Tax phone number is on leicester.gov.uk and on the back of every bill; a 24-hour automated payment line is also available.If you need the Leicester City Council Tax phone number, the right places to look are leicester.gov.uk and the back of your current bill. The council operates a daytime contact line for queries and a separate 24-hour automated payment line.
This article sets out where to find the current numbers, the difference between the contact line and the payment line, what to do if you cannot get through, and the alternatives if the phone is not the right channel for what you need.
| Band | Property Value (1991) | Ratio to Band D |
|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | 6/9 |
| B | £40,001 to £52,000 | 7/9 |
| C | £52,001 to £68,000 | 8/9 |
| D | £68,001 to £88,000 | 9/9 |
| E | £88,001 to £120,000 | 11/9 |
| F | £120,001 to £160,000 | 13/9 |
| G | £160,001 to £320,000 | 15/9 |
| H | Over £320,000 | 18/9 |
Band ranges set nationally in 1991. Leicester City Council sets the cash amount per band each February.
The Leicester Council Tax contact line vs the payment line
Leicester City Council publishes two Council Tax numbers: a daytime contact line staffed by call handlers, and a 24-hour automated payment line that takes card payments without a member of staff. Both are on the "Contact Council Tax" page of leicester.gov.uk and on the back of your bill.
Use the contact line for queries that need a person: discounts, exemptions, moving in or out, appeals against a decision, arrears arrangements. Use the payment line at any time of day or night for routine card payments; you only need your Council Tax reference and the card details.
Standard call charges apply from a landline or mobile. Avoid premium-rate aggregator numbers in search results.
Council Tax bands A to H in Leicester
The Valuation Office Agency assigns every home in England to one of eight bands, A through H, based on its value in April 1991. Leicester then sets a Band D rate; every other band is a fixed fraction of Band D.
Band A is 6/9ths of Band D, Band B is 7/9ths, Band C is 8/9ths, Band E is 11/9ths, Band F is 13/9ths, Band G is 15/9ths and Band H is 18/9ths. This ratio is fixed by central government and applies the same way in Leicester as it does in any other English billing authority.
To check your band, look up your address on the Valuation Office Agency search tool, or use the band shown on your annual bill. If you think the band is wrong because of evidence about your property in 1991, you have a narrow window to challenge it once you first move in.
What to do if you cannot get through
If the daytime contact line is busy, try one of these alternatives first: the online forms on leicester.gov.uk for routine tasks; email the Council Tax team using the address on the contact page; the 24-hour payment line if you only need to pay; or send a written letter (recorded delivery for anything formal) to the address on the back of your bill.
Phone queues are normally longest in the first week after bills are issued in March and immediately after a reminder goes out. If your call is not urgent, calling mid-morning or mid-afternoon later in the month often connects faster.
If you are vulnerable, on a low income, or facing enforcement, ask Leicester for a callback rather than queuing. The council's Council Tax team can usually arrange this through the online form or via your district housing officer if you are a council tenant.
When the phone is not the right channel
For most routine Council Tax tasks the online forms on leicester.gov.uk are faster than the phone. The forms include: tell us you have moved in or out, set up a Direct Debit, apply for the single person discount, apply for Council Tax Support, apply for a student exemption, change a name on the account, and ask for a 12-instalment payment plan.
For formal correspondence (appeals against a discount decision, representations about a liability order, written notice of a change in circumstances), use a letter rather than the phone. Recorded delivery is sensible for anything that sets a legal deadline running.
Email is suitable for non-urgent written correspondence; quote your account reference in the subject line so the message is matched to your account.
What to have ready before you phone
Before you call, gather: your Council Tax account reference (top right of your bill), your full address and postcode, relevant dates (move-in or move-out date, date a discount should start), names of any other adults at the property, and (for arrears) the amount you can pay each month and your income source.
If you are calling about a court summons or liability order, have the summons reference and the hearing date to hand. If you are calling about a discount or exemption, have the supporting evidence ready to scan or email.
If you are calling on behalf of someone else, you will need their written permission for Leicester to discuss the account with you. Without it, the call handler cannot give you details, because of data protection rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Leicester Council Tax payment line really 24 hours?
Yes. The automated payment line accepts debit and credit card payments around the clock. You only need your Council Tax account reference and the card details; no member of staff is needed.
Why is the daytime line sometimes hard to get through?
Phone demand spikes in early April after the new bills go out and immediately after reminder letters land. Mid-month mid-morning calls usually connect faster. The online forms are an alternative for routine tasks.
Can I pay my Leicester Council Tax by phone if I do not have a card?
No. The automated phone line accepts debit or credit cards only. If you have no card, use cash payment at a PayPoint outlet with the barcode on your bill, or set up a Direct Debit through your bank.
What is the difference between the Council Tax line and the main switchboard?
The main switchboard handles all council queries and transfers calls to the right team. The dedicated Council Tax line goes straight to the team that handles bills, discounts and arrears, so it is faster for Council Tax queries.
Can someone else phone Leicester Council Tax on my behalf?
Yes, with your written permission. Send a signed letter or use the consent form on leicester.gov.uk authorising the person to discuss your account with the council.
How We Verified This
Contact line and payment line distinction verified against published Leicester City Council guidance. Data protection rules verified against the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.