Respond to your council's household enquiry form – or risk a £1,000 fine

The form, which is sent out by councils between July and November each year, is used to check the right people are registered to vote.

But ignore it at your peril – you have to return it, or you could face a fine of up to £1,000 and be removed from the electoral register (though these actions would be a last resort).

Check out our quick guide for details on how to confirm your voting details.

What is a household enquiry form?

The form is addressed to the 'occupier' of a property and only one person in the home needs to reply on behalf of everyone living there.

It lists the current eligible voters in your household, including their first name, surname and nationality, and asks you to check and update the details, giving the option to include your email and telephone number.

There's also a tick box to fill in if no one in the home is eligible to vote, such as if it's empty or a business property.

What if I haven't got a form?

The forms must be returned by the end of November, but each council sends them out at different times.

They also may send a second form, a reminder, and canvassers to visit your home.

If you're worried though, contact your council.

What happens next?

If everything on the form is correct then that's likely to be it, but if there are people in the home who aren't registered to vote, when they should be, they may be sent an 'invitation to register'.

If you're asked to register to vote and you don't do so, you could face a fine of £80.

You can register to vote at any point throughout the year – though you'll still need to fill in the household enquiry form each time.