The law states NNDR or Business Rates become due on the 1 April each year, however, under normal circumstances, the law allows payment to be spread over 10 months from April to January; the number of months allowed reducing as the year progresses. You are only entitled to be sent one reminder for NNDR before losing your right to pay by instalments.

1. On the first occasion that you fail to pay an instalment by the due date, (this is the date specified on your bill), a reminder will be sent to you.  If you pay the amount requested promptly at this stage and remain up-to-date with payments, then you maintain your right to instalments. If, however, having received a reminder you fail to pay the amount requested by the due date, a summons will be issued. The effect of a summons will be to immediately increase your debt, because court costs will be incurred, and you will lose the right to pay by instalments for the rest of the year, which means the whole of the Rates demand, which remains outstanding, becomes payable immediately.
2. If you have had one reminder and paid it promptly, but then fail to pay by the due date on the second occasion, you will be sent a final reminder. This means you have now lost the right to pay by instalments for the remainder of the year, even if you brought your account up-to date on the previous occasion, and the whole amount outstanding for the year must be paid in full within 7 days.

If you fail to pay the full amount, a summons will automatically be issued and court costs will be added to your account.  The full amount of the outstanding balance on your account and any court costs are then due and payable immediately.

Please pay on time to avoid any problems or additional costs. Switch to paying by Direct Debit and reminders can be a thing of the past. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please telephone us on 01246 242560, visit our Contact Centres as soon as possible or read our Recovery and Appeals FAQs. They may be able to help you. Do not wait until you are behind with your payments before seeking advice.