Business rates recovery and enforcement
Last Updated: 3 April 2024
We aim to collect all debts owed to us in a consistent and sensitive way.
If you are having problems paying your business rates please contact us as soon as possible.
We will do our best to agree an affordable payment arrangement with you.
We can also advise you on:
- relief from rates
- how to appeal against the rateable value of your property
If you do not pay your rates and do not contact us we may have to take recovery action against you.
This may increase the amount you have to pay.
Council Tax and National Non-Domestic Rates recovery procedures (PDF 63KB / 5 pages)
Schedule of enforcement fees
| Fee stage | Fixed fee | Percentage fee (regulation 7); percentage of sum to be recovered exceeding £1,500 in addition to the standard fee stage amount |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance stage | £75 | 0% |
| Enforcement stage | £235 | 7.5% |
| Sale or disposal stage | £110 | 7.5% |
Please note that these fees are in force from 6 April 2014 under The Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 (S1 2014/1).
If your debt is passed to an Enforcement Agent (previously known as a bailiff) you will incur an immediate fee of £75.
If the Enforcement Agent visits your property you will incur a further fee of £235, plus an additional 7.5% of your debt if you owe over £1,500.
This means that within two weeks your enforcement fees alone could be in excess of £310.
Independent financial advice
Citizens Advice
National Debtline
Money Advice Service
Other free advice is available.