Business Rates - what happens if I do not pay

How we provide this service

Business Rates - 'What happens if I do not pay?' is is supported by Finance, Rating and Recovery.

Business Rate bills can normally be paid by 10 monthly instalments. Bills issued later in the year offer a smaller number of instalments.

If you are having difficulty paying for your business rates the following advice and guidance may help you.


What should you do if you are in arrears or have received a reminder notice?

Contact us immediately and we will do our best to help you. In certain circumstances we can reduce the amount you have to pay. For example, you may qualify for small business rate relief.

What happens if you don't pay an instalment?

We will send you a reminder notice, this gives you 10 days to bring your payments up to date. However, the law only allows for a maximum of 2 reminders to be issued in any financial year.

What happens if you still don't pay?

You can no longer be able to pay monthly and court proceedings will start if you ignore the notice.

Further Information on this service

Court Proceedings

If you receive a Court summons you will have to pay court costs of £70.00 increasing to £75.00 if the debt plus costs are not paid before the hearing. We send information with each summons. If you cannot pay in full before the court hearing contact us to discuss an alternative. In most cases we are able to reach an agreement - but we will still have to obtain the court order. If you think the debt is wrong let us know straight away - Do not wait until the court hearing.

What happens at the court hearing?

We will ask the Court to issue an order against you (called a Liability Order). The court will NOT consider offers of payment - you have to discuss those with us. The Court will issue an order if it is satisfied that we have sent you all the notices the law requires and that the debt (or part of it) is still outstanding.

What happens if the Council have a Liability Order and you still don't pay?

We have a legal duty to enforce the order and have a range of options we can use. If you contact us we may agree payment terms and further action can be avoided. However, we cannot agree terms with you if there is a more efficient alternative available.

• We can instruct our bailiffs to collect the debt. The bailiffs will charge you costs [view a list of these charges here] and are instructed by us to collect the debt as quickly as possible. They will not usually agree payment arrangements. The law expects bailiffs to obtain full payment OR seize goods and possessions owned by the debtor. These goods are then sold and the money raised goes towards paying your debt, plus costs. The Council currently use a private bailiff firm and their name and contact details are:

If your debt has been passed to our bailiff for collection, payments cannot be accepted here at the Council you must make your payments direct to them. If you would like to pay online to Rossendales then you can by visiting rossendales.com then click on payments at the top of the screen.

• Rossendales Limited, Wavell House, Helmshore

Rossendale, Lancs. BB4 4NB
Telephone number: 0844 701 3980

• Jacobs - 4 Europa Boulevard,Birkenhead,Merseyside,CH41 4PE Tel 0845 6012692

• the Council can ask for a charge to be placed on your property. This also includes costs and on-going interest and, ultimately, your property could be sold.

• If you owe the Council more than £750.00 we can apply for you to be made bankrupt. This could mean your assets, including your home, being sold to pay your debts and all the costs of this action.

Can I be sent to prison for not paying?

Yes. As well as risking being sent to prison for 90 days you would also have all the court costs to pay. Remember also that, even if you go to prison, the debt still has to be paid.

Getting help and advice generally

If you receive a letter warning you about action we have or are intent on taking you should contact us immediately. In most cases we can reach an agreement. Our staff are trained to make sure you receive the best possible advice and any reductions you may be entitled to.

Whatever you do - you must not ignore the debt - it will not go away!

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Contact Details

If you have any queries about the information provided above, or require further information, please contact Customer Services on 01775 761161 or email info@sholland.gov.uk.