Business Rates Liability Order

[Mikeybe]

Hi.

I came home from work today to find a letter from the council. The letter said that on Monday they had obtained a liability order at the magistrates court for business rates owing. I have 14 days to pay what is outstanding.

The thing is, I have never run a business from the property they claim I have. Also, today is the first I have heard of this. I haven't received any correspondence from either the council or the court at all about it.

A quick search on the internet suggests there's no way of going to the court to get this overturned, and only the council can apply for it to be removed - so long as I can prove I don't owe the money. But how can I prove a negative and never ran a business from the address they say?

Mike

[Amy]

Re: Business Rates Liability Order

A sure fire way of overturning a Liability Order is not owing the money.

Have they simply got the wrong address, or do you not owe the money at all?

[Mikeybe]

Re: Business Rates Liability Order

I simply do not owe the money. I have never run a business in the area.

[Amy]

Re: Business Rates Liability Order

Excellent. Then write to the council and tell them this and insist they recall the LO.

[Mikeybe]

Re: Business Rates Liability Order

OK thanks. I'll get a letter to them tomorrow.

My worry is, they say I have 14 days to come up with the cash, else they'll send the bailiffs in. I can see them dragging this on for way past the 14 days...

[Amy]

Re: Business Rates Liability Order

They can do what they like, but you don't owe the money and you must tell them and give them an opportunity to remedy this.

If anything else happens, then we can deal with that, but in the first instance you need to tell them you do not owe the money they say you do.

[Mikeybe]

Re: Business Rates Liability Order

Ill post what reply I get back from the council.

Thanks.

[Mikeybe]

Re: Business Rates Liability Order

Hi again, just a small update on what's happened.

I went into the council offices on Friday (29th) and explained to them that I had never run in business in the area etc. They said that as long as I put it down in writing to them, they'd cancel the liability order and investigate the situation.

I handed in the letter personally the same day.

However, since I haven't heard anything from them, I gave them a call today. They have no knowledge of me comming in and no knowledge of the letter I sent them - the liability order still stands.

What's now worrying me is that the 14 days to pay are now up and should I be expecting a knock on the door from the bailiffs?

[Amy]

Re: Business Rates Liability Order

Hi again, just a small update on what's happened.

I went into the council offices on Friday (29th) and explained to them that I had never run in business in the area etc. They said that as long as I put it down in writing to them, they'd cancel the liability order and investigate the situation.

I handed in the letter personally the same day.

However, since I haven't heard anything from them, I gave them a call today. They have no knowledge of me comming in and no knowledge of the letter I sent them - the liability order still stands.

Then go in with another copy, wait until someone signs it to say they have received it and then put another copy in the post and get a certificate of posting from the Post Office. Then have them write you a letter, while you wait, to say they are going to cancel the Liability Order.

What's now worrying me is that the 14 days to pay are now up and should I be expecting a knock on the door from the bailiffs?

And? So what. You don't owe anything.