Why you need to respond to this letter from your council – or risk getting a £1,000 fine
While it may look like junk mail - ignoring your Household Enquiry Form could land you a hefty fine
A HOUSEHOLD enquiry form is being sent to every home across the UK - and if you don't respond to it, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
Below, is a guide on everything you need to know about the form and what you need to do with it in order to avoid the hefty fine.
What is a Household Enquiry Form?
The Household Enquiry Form (HEF) is posted to your letterbox by your local council between July and November each year - so the exact date for sending them out can vary.
But now is the key period for the forms to be sent out, so make sure you respond on time, even if the information is correct.
Every home in the UK must respond, so that the council can make sure their data is up-to-date.
The letter lists all those living in the property that are currently registered to vote and asks you to check and update the details.
It also gives you details on how you can respond - and anyone in the household can complete and send the form back.
If you haven't received an enquiry form, then contact your .
How do I confirm the details?
If there are changes to your household - for example, someone has moved out or you have recently moved in - you will need to let the council know.
You can do this by making the changes online or filling out the form following the instructions in the letter.
If you cannot do it online, then complete and return the form in the pre-paid envelope provided by the council.
If there are no changes and all the details on the form are correct - you can simply follow the instructions in the letter to respond using their phone, text or online service.
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What happens if I don’t send the Household Enquiry Form back?
Failing to reply before the council's chosen deadline could land you a fine of up to £1,000.
Megan French, senior news writer at , told The Sun: “It may look like junk mail, but it’s really important you don’t ignore this form as by law you must respond to it - in the worst case you could face a fine if you don’t.
"Though it goes to everyone in the UK, it’s sent by individual councils, so carefully check the deadline and instructions from your council - particularly what you should do if there are no changes.
"If you think you might have binned your form, get in touch with your council for a new one.”
If you've already binned your form, don't worry, your council will send out a second form as a reminder.
But it's a good idea to contact your council to ask them for a copy.
What happens next and how can you register to vote?
If you respond stating that there are no changes, the council will not contact you again until next year.
But if there are new people now living at your household, the council will send each person an Invitation to Register (ITR).
You can register by going online at
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