What happens if you do not pay

Your business rates bill shows the amounts and dates on which you must pay. If we do not receive your payment by the due date, then we will take recovery action as explained below.

We will send you a reminder notice

This will give you 7 days to bring your payments up to date by paying the amount shown in the notice.

If you do not pay this amount, after a further 7 days you will lose the right to pay by instalments and you must pay the full amount due for the year.

We will not take any further action if you pay the amount due within the 7 days and then pay all further instalments on time.

We may send you a final notice

If we have already sent you a reminder notice in a financial year and you fail to pay another instalment by the due date, we will send you a final notice.

When we send you a final notice, you lose the right to pay by instalments and you must pay the full amount due for the year within 7 days.

We will send you a court summons

If you do not pay the amount requested in a reminder or final notice, we will send you a court summons.

If you pay the amount shown on the summons in full, including costs, before the date of the court hearing, we will not take any further action.

If you cannot afford to pay the amount in full before the court date, you should contact us. You do not have to attend the court hearing.

If you dispute the liability, you must contact us immediately. You will have to tell us why you are not liable for the charge and supply evidence to support your claim.

Please ensure all communications quote the word ‘summons’. This will enable us to prioritise the matter.

We will apply for a Liability Order

At the court hearing, we will apply for a Liability Order which will incur you further costs. This will give us powers to collect the money you owe, including:

• passing the debt to an enforcement agent to collect payment
• starting bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings against you or your company

We may pass the debt to an enforcement agent

When we have passed a Liability Order to an enforcement agent (formerly known as a bailiff), you must make all payments and enquiries directly to them. 

If you do not pay the amount due, the enforcement agent can remove and sell your goods to pay off what you owe.