Non-payment of Business Rates

Try not to get into arrears

If you have problems paying your business rates, please let us know immediately.  If you don't contact us we can't help you.  When you contact us we will look into your case and where possible, offer you another payment arrangement.

What happens if you don't pay?

  • As soon as you miss a payment we will send a reminder.  
  • If you don't bring your account up to date within 7 days of receiving the reminder you will lose the right to pay by instalments.  
  • This means that you will have to pay the rest of the years rates in one lump sum.
  • If you do bring your account up to date, but then miss another payment we will send you a final notice.

You will receive a maximum of 2 notices in any one year (reminder and final). If you do not pay or do not contact us after receiving these notices, we will send you a summons.

What happens if you are taken to court?

If you receive a summons because you have not paid your business rates you will have to pay costs of £185.00.

When your case is heard at court we will ask the magistrates to issue a liability order against you.

The liability order is the court agreement that you are liable to pay the rates.  Your ability to pay is not a matter that the magistrates can consider when issuing a liability order.  The liability order gives the Council extra powers to collect the money.  If you do not contact us or do not make payment we will recover the debt in one of the following ways:

Bailiffs

  • We may ask a bailiff to collect the debt on our behalf.  You will have to pay further costs of this happens and the bailiff may take some of your company's or your personal possessions to sell at public auction to pay off the debt.

    • Bankruptcy

  • If you are a sole trader we may petition for you to be made bankrupt.  If you are made bankrupt this will affect your ability to obtain credit and run a business in the future.

    • Winding up proceedings

  • If you run a limited company we may petition for winding up proceedings against your company.  This will result in your company being dissolved and may result in your disqualification as a director.

What if these methods fail?

If we cannot collect the money using the above methods we will call you back to court.  If the magistrates think that you are deliberately not paying and have the money to do so, they may decide to send you to prison for up to 90 days.

Remember:  If you are experiencing difficulties in paying, contact us immediately.

Please contact us at Revenue Services if you have any queries.

You may also wish to contact one of the advice agencies within the borough.  They will be able to give money advice and debt counselling.  A list of advice agencies is shown on the back of your bill.