Problems paying?
You must pay your business rates according to the instalments shown on your latest bill.
If you are having problems paying your bill please email business.rates@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or telephone 01295 227000.
Reminders
Only one Reminder will be issued in any one financial year.
If you fail to pay a missed instalment by the due date given on the reminder letter, a summons will be issued.
Final notice
If you fail to pay a second instalment in that financial year, a final notice will be issued.
The full outstanding balance will become due immediately, and you lose the right to pay by monthly instalments.
Summons
Failure to pay a reminder or final notice will lead to a summons being issued and costs of £72.50 (revised to £75.00 from 17/04/24) being added to the outstanding amount.
At this stage, a payment arrangement may be made which includes the costs of the summons. If the arrangement extends beyond the court date, then court costs of £75 will also be included. If the summonsed amount is paid, then no further action will be taken.
Liability Order
Failure to pay a summons by the due date will result in a liability order being obtained from the Magistrates Court, which will result in additional costs of £75 being added to your account. A liability order gives us the right to:
- make an arrangement with the ratepayer to clear the debt and the costs
- pass the case to enforcement agents, who will recover the money owed to us (additional costs will be incurred)
- commence bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings
Enforcement agent
A notification letter of the liability order will be sent to you, giving a further 7 days to pay. After this, the account will be sent to the enforcement agent, and any action they take will incur you with their costs. Any further arrangements must then be made through the enforcement agent.