I have been summonsed to appear before Manchester Magistrates' Court for non payment of Non-Domestic rates to Manchester City Council (MCC).
It is my defence that I am not liable to pay these rates as I am exempt from paying as I qualify for 100% small business rates relief and which had been confirmed by the council in a letter in August 2012.
A brief background
1. New occupancy of a property in Manchester in Feb 2012. I wrote to the council within 4 days to inform of new occupancy, submitting all necessary documents.
2. MCC's failure to provide me with a suitable and accurate bill resulted in me initiating a formal internal complaint and over the course of 6 months, I received two visits from the valuations office (VO) to correctly value the premises. My complaint resulted in a stage 1 resolution including an apology from the business rates manager and confirmation from him that I was entitled to 100% small business rates relief.
3. Submission of the rates relief form meant I was issued with a final bill for £0 business rates liability.
4. In late autumn 2012 I began to receive more demands for business rates payments, despite responding and highlighting my reference to my small business relief.
5. Since the bills have started coming again, I have opened another internal complaint to understand why I am receiving more back-dated bills. I requested that my account be put on hold during this period, this was agreed to by the council in an email.
6. I was not happy with the outcome of the new complaint stage 1 and the council continued to send me bills and red letter demands.
7. With my complaint outstanding and about to enter stage 3 of the council complaints procedure, I have today received a summons for court over unpaid rates (despite them promising that my account was on hold).
What options do I have available? Thanks
It is my defence that I am not liable to pay these rates as I am exempt from paying as I qualify for 100% small business rates relief and which had been confirmed by the council in a letter in August 2012.
A brief background
1. New occupancy of a property in Manchester in Feb 2012. I wrote to the council within 4 days to inform of new occupancy, submitting all necessary documents.
2. MCC's failure to provide me with a suitable and accurate bill resulted in me initiating a formal internal complaint and over the course of 6 months, I received two visits from the valuations office (VO) to correctly value the premises. My complaint resulted in a stage 1 resolution including an apology from the business rates manager and confirmation from him that I was entitled to 100% small business rates relief.
3. Submission of the rates relief form meant I was issued with a final bill for £0 business rates liability.
4. In late autumn 2012 I began to receive more demands for business rates payments, despite responding and highlighting my reference to my small business relief.
5. Since the bills have started coming again, I have opened another internal complaint to understand why I am receiving more back-dated bills. I requested that my account be put on hold during this period, this was agreed to by the council in an email.
6. I was not happy with the outcome of the new complaint stage 1 and the council continued to send me bills and red letter demands.
7. With my complaint outstanding and about to enter stage 3 of the council complaints procedure, I have today received a summons for court over unpaid rates (despite them promising that my account was on hold).
What options do I have available? Thanks
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