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Sample Letter

Request to remit business rates (sole name)

​Use this letter to ask the council to remit your business rates. It should be sent to the council that you owe the money to. You can find information about how to use this letter in our fact sheet Business rates.

You can choose to send a letter in your own name or in joint names. You may have a debt in joint names, or want to write to your creditors together because you have worked out a joint budget.

  • Fill in your contact details, account number and any extra information you want to include in the grey shaded areas.
  • Today’s date will be added automatically.
  • Sign each letter and enclose a copy of your budget if needed.

Letter in joint names

You can choose to send a letter in your own name or in joint names. You may have a debt in joint names, or want to write to your creditors together because you have worked out a joint budget.

Change to joint version
You need to include the organisation name.
Name of the organisation you are writing toInclude the name of the person or creditor you are writing to.
You need to include their address.
Their address line 1Make sure you include the full address for the person or organisation. Don't forget the post code.
Their address line 2
Their address line 3
You need to include their postcode.
Their postcodeDon't forget their postcode.
You need to include your address.
Your address line 1Make sure you include your full address.
Your address line 2
Your address line 3
You need to include your postcode.
Your postcodeDon't forget your postcode.

24th December 2024

Date
Dear Sir/Madam
Billing reference number:
This field is required.
Your account or reference numberYou will find your account or reference number on any paperwork from your creditor.
I am writing to you about my unpaid business rates. I understand that you may, under section 49 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, remit all or part of my business rates arrears.
This field is required.
Explain why you are asking for your business rates arrears to be remitted. Set out the facts clearly and in a logical order. If your business is still trading and it is important to the local community, explain why this is. If your business is no longer trading, explain why you would suffer hardship if you had to pay the business rates.Explain why you are asking for your business rates arrears to be remitted. Set out the facts clearly and in a logical order. If your business is still trading and it is important to the local community, explain why this is. If your business is no longer trading, explain why you would suffer hardship if you had to pay the business rates
I enclose my budget sheet and list of creditors. My budget sheet shows that I have no spare income to enable me to make an offer of payment. You will see that I am finding it difficult to maintain basic household expenditure. This confirms that if the debt is pursued, it would cause hardship to me (and my family). I suggest that it would be reasonable in these circumstances for you to remit this debt. If you continue to pursue the debt, it is likely to be costly and not in the interests of local ratepayers.
This field is required.
Include a paragraph outlining more information about your personal circumstances.Include a paragraph outlining more information about your personal circumstances
I am happy to provide any further information that you request. I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully
You need to include your name(s).
Include your full name