Douzaine clamps down on rates defaulters

Tuesday 17 September 2019

The Vale Douzaine is taking five households to court for not paying their parish rates.

Around 20 bills remain outstanding and the first five court summonses have been sent to individuals who also owe for last year and, in one case, for longer than that.

In total, the parish is owed around £4,000, with individual amounts varying from £150 to £600.

"Paying rates is not optional – it's a legal requirement," said Senior Constable Richard Leale. "The Douzaine does everything it can to contain costs and to minimise rates bills. Having to chase people like this can actually increase what we have to charge people because of the extra work and cost of taking people to court," said Mr Leale.

A crackdown on rates defaulters is announced by the Vale Douzaine as arrears top £4,000 – details here:https://t.co/hq90VjjtDA pic.twitter.com/XanifFS58b

— Vale Parish (@ValeParish) 16 September 2019

"That's why it's so antisocial and why, reluctantly, we will take anyone to court who doesn't pay their rates."

Mr Leale said not pursuing those who didn't pay would be unfair on everyone else, as rates would have to increase in order to cover the shortfall. 

The first five summonsed to court are all for £300 or more because they also have arrears. In addition to having to pay the outstanding rates, defaulters also face a summons fee of £60 per named person on the property deeds.