Council recovers debt following successful case
Dudley Council’s business rates and recovery team has won a case worth more than £200,000 after pursuing a landlord who had not been paying rates.
The local authority instructed its external solicitors Greenhalgh Kerr in June 2024. Liability orders had been obtained by the council, but remained unpaid ,and it commenced enforcement proceedings against VSD Properties UK Ltd, a landlord in Dudley town centre.
Over the last 18 months VSD sought to dispute its liability, resulting in further court hearings. However the Council was ultimately successful, and agreement reached for VSD to pay the full amount of its debt.
More than £75,000 of the debt has now been paid, with the remainder in the process of being secured.
Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for resources, said:
“We are pleased at the outcome of this case. Together with our external legal team at Greenhalgh Kerr, we will never hesitate to act against businesses who attempt to flout the laws.
“I hope this will serve as a reminder that businesses must pay their fair share or risk facing the consequences.