Business rate, court summons

[dbsdabson]

After notifying council on shutting down my business last year (Oct 2011), I kept getting business rate bill, irrespective of the fact that they are aware that the same premises had been taken over by another business and had since their commencement received their own new business rate bill. The next thing I received from them was a court summons which on attending the court, the council official did not allow me to attend or see the presiding judge in order for me to explain myself. All I got after the court attendance was a phone call asking me to get a letter from the landlord whom I know gives a kick back to the council officials in order to save himself from the empty property business rate. I am sure the landlord will not give me such letter as we are not in good terms because of his dodgy and cowboy dealings with tenants. Please advice, how can I go about dealing with this and clearing my name from this unnecessary debt

[bluebottle]

Re: Business rate, court summons

You need to speak to a legal professional about this and, possibly, the police, too. As such, you are not liable for any NNDR after you vacate the premises and properly inform the local authority. The council official needs to be questioned as to why they were so keen to prevent you from speaking to the District Judge/Deputy District Judge, if necessary, under caution. Speak to a legal professional.