Final notices for business rates
This page provides information about final notices which the council sends to late payers of business rates.
A final notice has been issued because either you or your organisation is shown as the ratepayer and one or more instalments have not been received by the due date – the first of each month.
Billing, collection and recovery of the Uniform Business Rate is governed by the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
At the beginning of each financial year, every ratepayer is entitled to pay their charge over 10 monthly instalments and the Council sets the date by or on which payments should be made.
If payment is not received by the due date, the Council is required to issue a reminder notice.
This requires overdue instalments to be paid within seven days and remaining instalments to be paid on time.
In spite of the previous reminder issued to you, your account does not appear to have been kept up to date.
The council, therefore, has no alternative but to withdraw your right to pay by instalments and insist that the full balance of your account is paid now.
Failure to do so will result in a summons being issued without further warning, which will incur further costs.
The summons will mean that the council will be able to apply to the magistrates for a liability order which gives additional powers to collect the debt, such as instructing the bailiff.
If you consider that your organisation is not liable for these charges
You should contact the Business Rates section immediately.
If payment was made recently
If you have made a payment, which does not appear to have been recorded, then you must inform the Business Rates section immediately.
Please note that payments made through a bank or post office can take up to 10 days to reach your account, which is why we recommend payment by Direct Debit.
Paying by Direct Debit
Call 01737 276691 or 01737 276779 to set up your Direct Debit over the telephone or to request a Direct Debit mandate. Please click on the link below to download one:
Please complete and return it with a cheque to bring your instalments up to date. Payments made by a valid debit or credit card are also accepted.
If you are not able to bring your instalments up to date it may still be possible to pay by Direct Debit. If this is the case please contact the Business Rates section.
Appeals against the rateable value
Until the issue of this notice your rates remained payable in accordance with the instalments detailed on your account even though you may have an appeal outstanding.
As explained before the whole sum is now due but if, as a result of a successful appeal, you have overpaid the credit will be refunded to you with interest, if applicable, in accordance with the regulations.
If you cannot pay the sum in full within seven days
If you cannot pay the sum in full within seven days please contact the Business Rates section without delay to discuss the matter.
Help available to pay the rates
Please refer to Reliefs and reductions or contact the Business Rates section to discuss if you may be entitled to apply for a reduction in your bill.
If relief has already been granted it will be shown on your last bill.
Last updated : 05/03/2010
