Business rates

If you're struggling to pay your business rates bill, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Email localtaxation@rutland.gov.uk to let us know why you're finding it hard to pay and what you think might help you get back on track.

If you'd rather speak to someone, call our customer services team on 01572 722 577 - we'll arrange an appointment for an officer to call you back.

If you don't pay your rates

If you miss a payment we'll send you either a reminder notice or a final notice.

If your payments fall behind or you're paying later than the date shown on your bill, we'll send you a reminder notice. This will give you seven days to bring your account up to date.

• if you bring your account up to date and fall behind again we will send you a second reminder notice
• if you don't bring your account up to date or you fall behind a third time, you will lose your right to pay by instalments. The full year's rates will then need to be paid
• if the amount you owe has changed since we sent your last reminder notice you will receive a final notice
• if you must pay the full year’s business rates and they are not paid within 14 days we will send you a summons to appear in court. Additional costs will be also added to your account at this point
• if you're issued with a court summons and do not pay the full amount owed (including costs) before the court hearing date, we'll apply for a liability order. This will again add more costs to your account

Liability orders

A liability order is a court demand for you to pay the full amount of business rates you owe, along with additional costs. 

The liability order allows us to take a number of actions to recover the money that is owed. This includes the use of enforcement agents, bankruptcy proceedings and as a very last resort, a prison sentence.