How we recover unpaid business rates
What happens if we pass on your debt to a bailiff or we start insolvency proceedings.
Bailiff action
A liability order gives us the legal powers to collect your business rates debt using a bailiff.
What you can do
If your account has been passed to a bailiff, you must contact them to discuss your account.
You will be charged extra costs on top of the amount owed. The first fee is £75 which is added to your debt when your account is transferred to a bailiff.
Bailiff companies
Bristow and Sutor
Telephone: 0330 390 2010
Website: bristowsutor.co.uk
Grencar Ltd
Telephone: 01306 630 015
Email: info@grencar.co.uk
How a bailiff collects unpaid business rates debt
A bailiff's actions follows 3 stages.
Stage 1: Compliance stage
A cost of £75 is charged for each liability order we pass on to the bailiff. If you have multiple debts covered by separate liability orders, large costs can be added to your debt.
Stage 2: Enforcement stage
An extra cost of £235 (plus a 7.5% fee for debt above £1,500 if applicable) is added to your debt and a bailiff will visit your property to take control of your goods.
Stage 3: Sale or disposal
An extra cost of £110 (plus a 7.5% fee for debt above £1,500 if applicable) is added to your debt, plus any sale or expense costs.
For more information, go to our Business Rates Recovery Policy.