News

2010-08-26 : Council takes Hospital to Court over unpaid bills

 

A council has taken legal action against a general hospital for failing to pay a total of £649,252 in unpaid business rates. It is believed the hospital had failed to pay the rates for about six weeks after receiving the bill, a mistake officials at the hospital blamed on ‘an oversight'.

Opposition leaders at the council are amazed that this issue has ended up with legal action being taken. They commented if the council had to take this to court, then it would suggest that their methods of collecting rates are lacking, and also wondered what the expense of the whole thing was.

The council have defended their actions by stating that in their view; normal procedures are carried out regardless of who has not paid their bill.

Almost all organisations which occupy non-domestic properties pay business rates, including schools and hospitals. The money helps fund services such as the police and fire services.

Ruddle Merz currently act for a number of Healthcare providers. If you would like to benefit from a free Business Rates review, please call us on 0800 883 03 53 or email us at enquiries@ruddlemerz.co.uk.

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