Liability orders for unpaid business rates

About liability orders

A liability order is a court order made against you in the Magistrates’ Court for unpaid business rates. An order grants us more powers to recover the amount owed. 

Ways you can pay

Pay the full amount owed

You must pay the full unpaid amount, including the court costs of £84.80. 

A liability order will be granted by the court if you do not pay the money owed and court costs before the court date and do not have a valid legal defence. 

Make a payment online

Set up a repayment plan

If you do not have a valid legal defence, we urge you to request a repayment arrangement.

Request a repayment arrangement

Challenge a business rates liability order

Valid legal defences

Listed below are valid reasons (legal defences) you can use to challenge your liability order, including:

  • the property is not shown as an entry on the business rates rating list
  • the unpaid amount has not been requested in line with the legal requirements
  • the unpaid amount has been paid in full
  • more than six years have passed since the balance became due
  • bankruptcy or winding up proceedings have started

Invalid legal defences

Listed below are invalid reasons (legal defences) which you cannot use to challenge your liability order, including:

  • you cannot afford to pay
  • you think you should not have to pay
  • the property should receive a relief or reduction
  • you have an outstanding appeal with the Valuation Tribunal

Contact us 

The quickest way to contact us is by using our online form which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Contact us online