Business rates non payment

[Carl100?]

Hi panicking ,my wife received a letter this morning from the council saying she owes £10,300 for un paid business rates for April 2020 to April 2022,but she closed her shop in July 2019 and her landlord has had the property on sale ever since so we don't believe she owes anything ,but really scared as letter says if she doesn't pay in full the case will be referred to an enforcement agency on 15th which is Thursday, what should we do

[echat11]

HI Carl

Try not to worry. Try to gather all the information, dates when the business closed down, the property sale details, evidence from the landlord that the property has been for sale for a number of years etc. Contact the Business Rates General Enquiry department at the Council, check for their details on the Council website. Explain what's happened over the phone, but do it in writing as well (email them). Explain that you have the evidence. Ask them to stop collection activities whilst you are in the process of sorting this out.

More advice will follow.

[islandgirl]

It seems very strange that they go straight to enforcement. There should be threatening letters prior to this point. Has there been nothing else?

[Carl100?]

No we presume letters went to shop and has been empty and for let for nearly 2 years

[islandgirl]

Then I would email the council tomorrow (and ring if no reply within a few hours) to tell them that you knew nothing about any bills and that you will now deal with it (do not say you will pay) and that they must not pass to an enforcement agency on 15th. Ask them to acknowledge that they will give you time. Then you can look into the matter and forumlate a proper response as to why you are not eligable for the rates (if you formally quit the shop and passed liability back to the LL)

[Carl100?]

Thanks echat11,,wife got in contact with a business rate advisor on Saturday morning after getting a number on the Internet he basically told the wife the same,she has taken 2 days off work tomorrow and Tuesday to get all of it sorted ,she has all the details when she closed shop when it went back on for let, and as of just recently since shop has been sold. wI'll let you know how it goes tomorrow or Tuesday

[echat11]

Make sure every phone call to the Council is backed up with written confirmation from the council.
Take the name and time that you speak to Council employees.

[Carl100?]

Apparently it's sorted but waiting for a new revised bill saying zero on it,waiting for confirmation email ,they say landlord should of registered the property empty but didn't

[echat11]

Apparently it's sorted but waiting for a new revised bill saying zero on it,waiting for confirmation email ,they say landlord should of registered the property empty but didn't

That's great news.

[islandgirl]

well done great news