Difficulty paying your business rates

If you are having difficulty paying your business rates call us on 01454 868688 as soon as possible or visit one of our One Stop Shops.

We may be able to:

• reschedule your payments
• move your payment date

Check if you can apply for a business rate relief or exemption.

If you have not already, you can spread the cost with a monthly direct debit. You can manage your business rates online.

What happens if you do not pay your business rates

We follow the following process:

• reminders
• final notice
• court proceedings
• debt recovery

Reminders and final notice

If you fall behind with your payments, we will send you a reminder notice. If you do not pay within 7 days and fail to contact us, you will no longer be able to pay by instalments.

If you make the payment by the date requested but miss another payment in the same financial year we will send you another reminder notice.

We will send you a maximum of 2 reminder notices.

If you miss a third business rates payment and do not contact us, we will send you a final notice and you must pay the whole year’s business rates instead.

Summons and court hearing

If you do not pay your business rates after the reminders and final notice and you have not contacted us, we may send you a court summons.

If you get a court summons you will be charged additional costs which will be added to your unpaid bill.