What if I don't pay my business rates?

If you don't pay the amount you owe within seven days of your payment due date, we'll send you a further notice. This notice will tell you the date you must make a payment by to prevent any further recovery action being taken.

You'll need to pay your next due instalment on its due date as per your last bill.

What if I don't pay after I get a further notice?

If you don't pay by the due date on your further notice, we'll send you a summons which will ask you to pay the full year's business rates charge. The summons will be sent seven days after the due date on your further notice.

Additional costs will be added to your account.

What if I don't pay after I get a summons?

If you receive a summons and you can't pay the balance in full, we can arrange repayments which suit your financial circumstances. To discuss this, please contact Revenues and Benefits Services on 01642 726006. Our phone lines are open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (10am to 4:30pm), and Friday (10am to 4pm). They are closed on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

If you cannot call us during those hours, you can get in touch with us using the revenues enquiry form.

If you still don't pay, we can:

• pass your case to an enforcement agent (a bailiff)
• start bankruptcy/winding up proceedings
• start proceedings to commit you to prison

If you still don't pay, you risk a prison sentence.

You can avoid all this by contacting Revenues and Benefits Services now on 01642 726006 and making an arrangement to pay.

Our phone lines are open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (10am to 4:30pm), and Friday (10am to 4pm). They are closed on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Getting a phone call about your Business Rates debt

We've started using a new phone service to contact customers who have a Business Rates debt.

If you're called by the new phone service, your call will come from 01642 843131.

You cannot use this number to get in touch with us. You can contact us about benefits, Council Tax, and Business Rates by calling 01642 726006.

Is this a scam?

No. If you get a call from 01642843131 then it is not a scam.

• If you get a phone call, you will be asked to press 1 to speak to a caseworker at Middlesbrough Council.
• If you get a voicemail, you will be given a number to call to speak to a caseworker at Middlesbrough Council.
• If you get a text message, you will be given a number to call to speak to a caseworker at Middlesbrough Council.

You will not be asked to give any personal information before you press 1, or phone the number, to speak to a caseworker.