If you are having difficulty paying
It is important that you contact us as soon as possible. We may be able to set up an arrangement.
Telephone: 0300 373 3300
Barrow area: nndr1@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Eden area: nndr2@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
South Lakeland area: counciltax3@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
You can also contact your local Citizens Advice office, all of which are listed on our Families Information Hub.
Business Rates Demand Notice and instalments
Instalments are requested in accordance with a statutory instalment plan, and you are issued with a demand notice (your bill). There will be at least 14 days before your first payment is due.
The first of the month is the cash instalment date and direct debit is offered on:
- Barrow area – 1st and 16th of the month
- Eden area – 18th of the month
- South Lakeland area – 1st of the month
Where the demand notice is issued between 1 January and 31 March in the relevant year, the amount is payable in a single instalment as specified in the demand notice.
If you miss your payments
We will commence the following recovery process.
Reminder Notice
Issued if payment is not made in accordance with the statutory demand notice. You must pay the amount due within seven days, failure to do so will result in instalments being cancelled.
Summons
A summons to attend the Magistrates Court is served if you don’t pay the total amount shown on the Reminder Notice within seven days. A date will be set for a court hearing and the cost of serving the summons will be added to the balance outstanding.
You can pay in full, including the costs, before the hearing to avoid further recovery action. You can also request an arrangement before the hearing.
If you reach an agreement, you do not need to attend court.
If you want to provide a defence against the liability order obtained at court, you should read the notes included with your summons. The court can only consider a limited number of issues in these proceedings.
Telephone: 0300 373 3300
Barrow area: nndr1@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Eden area: nndr2@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
South Lakeland area: counciltax3@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Liability Order
Provides the authority to instruct an enforcement agent to recover the debt outstanding or commence bankruptcy or winding up (liquidation) proceedings.
A repayment plan will be considered at Liability Order stage.
Refer to an Enforcement Agency
If you fail to pay in accordance with these requirements, your account will be referred to an external enforcement agency for collection.
Further costs are added and you must contact the enforcement agency to discuss repayment.
| Fee stage | Fixed fee | Percentage fee (regulation 7): percentage of sum to be recovered exceeding £1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance stage | £75 | 0% |
| Enforcement stage | £235 | 7.5% |
| Sale or disposal stage | £110 | 7.5% |
Fees recoverable under regulation 4 of The Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014
Commitment to prison
If all other options fail, a Summons may be issued for you to attend the Magistrates’ Court for a committal hearing. If the outcome of this hearing considers you should have paid your business rates, a warrant of commitment may be issued which means you could have to go to prison for up to 90 days. In addition, further costs are added.