If you have not made a suitable payment arrangement, then the
council has the power, under a liability order, to use bailiffs to
collect any amount of Business Rates due.
This will add more to the costs you have to
pay.
The bailiffs recover the debt you owe by removing and selling your
goods. The bailiffs will normally send you a letter asking you to
pay the money you owe immediately. If you do not respond to their
letter, the bailiffs will visit your property to remove the goods.
They can remove goods up to the value of the money you owe, plus
their own costs. The goods will then be sold at public auction. If
you ask, the bailiffs must give you a receipt for all the money you
give them or the bailiffs' office.
Bailiffs are not allowed to break open a door but may enter your
property if a door is open, or if it is closed and can be opened
without using force. They can also enter through an open window.
When the bailiffs are inside your property, they can force any
internal locked doors.
The bailiffs can take almost any goods that you own. If you pay
your debt, including all costs, before any goods are taken or sold,
the seizure or sale will be stopped.
You can keep your goods in your property if you have done one of
the following:
- Signed an agreement for the bailiff to
stay in your property until you have paid your debt or the goods
are removed for sale.
- Signed an agreement that holds the goods
so the bailiff can leave and return at a later date if you do not
pay the debt.
If the bailiff does return to remove the goods, you do not have to
be there.
Before making a payment arrangement, the bailiff will normally hold
the goods and ask you to sign an agreement to hand over the goods
if you do not pay.
Bailiffs will come to your premises with a removal van and remove
any of your goods. They will put them in secure storage before they
are sold at auction.
For more information contact us using the details below:
E-Mail:
brates@waveney.gov.uk
Telephone: 01502 523280
Fax: 01502 523310
Post: Waveney District Council, Revenues and
Benefits, PO Box 96, Lowestoft, NR32 1HW
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