Direct Debit is the most convenient way to pay. We offer a number of different payment dates or if you find it easier, you can pay the total amount immediately.

If you don't already pay by Direct Debit but would like to, please contact us on 01642 726006 and we'll set up your Direct Debit immediately. Please remember to have your bank details and business rates account number ready when you call.

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 our online revenues enquiry form.

Online payments for business rates are available 24 hours a day.

If you wish to pay your business rates by phone please ring 01642 726726 at any time and have the following details ready:

• Your business rates account number
• Your debit or credit card details
• The amount you want to pay

A unique reference number will be given to you when you make the payment, please remember to keep this. If your account number ends in 'X', please replace 'X' with the * button on your telephone keypad when entering your account number.

Telephone payments are available 24 hours a day.

Cheques and postal orders should be crossed and made payable to 'Middlesbrough Council'. Please forward them to:

Revenues and Benefits Services
PO Box 2
Middlesbrough House
50 Corporation Road
Middlesbrough
TS1 2YL

Cash must not be sent through the post.

Post-dated and third party cheques, or cheques on non-standard stationary, won't be accepted. Please note your account number when sending payment. The council cannot accept responsibility for payments lost in the post. Please don't send your bill when making total payments.

Payments can be made at the Post Office by using Transcash from G20, available at the Counter, and quoting the Council's Girobank Account 6006221. Fund reference: NN9999999999 (replace all 9s your own business rates account number)

Please note that the Post Office will charge for this service.

Find your nearest Post Office.

Payments can now be made direct from your bank or building society account by standing order. To do this you'll need to instruct your bank on how much to pay and give them the following details:

Payment to be made to NatWest Bank plc, Middlesbrough Borough Council Income Account, sort code: 54-10-04, Account Number: 94586489, fund reference: NN9999999999 (replace all 9s with your own business rates account number).

Please remember to change the amount of your standing order when your annual business rates charge increases in April.

If you don't pay your due instalment within seven days after your expected payment date you'll be issued with a reminder. If you fail to pay after being issued with a reminder, a summons can be issued requesting the full year's charge.

If you're issued with a summons and you're unable to pay the balance in full we may consider making a mutually acceptable repayment arrangement. To do 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.

People who still fail to pay may have:

• their account passed to an enforcement agent
• an application made against them for bankruptcy or a winding up order.

People who still neglect to pay are issued with a summons to commit them to prison.

If you've appealed against your rateable value, you'll still need to make payments as shown on your bill while you're waiting for the outcome of your appeal to be decided.

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.

If you need to let us know about any change of address details for a property eligible to pay non domestic rates please complete the online change of address form.

You can contact Revenues and Benefits Services by phone 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.

Email: ndr@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Or you can write to:

Revenues and Benefits Services
PO Box 2
Middlesbrough House 
50 Corporation Road
Middlesbrough
TS1 2QQ

Always quote your account number when making payment or sending any correspondence to us. Your account number will change if you move, or if the person or organisation responsible for paying the bill changes.