Summons for non payment

London_Mark_2

Story short: 3 years ago me and my partner owned a company and rented premises for around 9 months. Later company was sold and closed. Unfortunately rental contracts were signed as a private persons not as a company (xx trading as xx company) and now I have received court summons for non payment of council tax (commercial).
Few questions- why am I receiving this notice and not my my ex partner and whole amount is charged on me? Can I request this to be split?
On the lease my name was spelled with few letters missing, but notice is in my real name, would yah help me at all?

Many thanks in advance for all the advice

Bobarella

How long was the lease supposed to be for? Was it drawn up by a solicitor?

London_Mark_2

Hi Bobarella. Cheers for reply. Lease was drawn up by solicitors of the company letting out an it was for a year with a possibility of renewal.

London_Mark_2

Just to clarify- it was a rent agreement not lease.

CIS

Council tax has nothing to do with commercial properties, that would be business rates.

A slight error in a name would not remove the fact that it is addressed to you.

If there are two or more people named on the lease then you are both 100% responsible for payment, it will not be apportioned.

fatbelly

You may want to run this past Business Debtline

Bobarella

It does sound a bit of a complicated situation.

I have a lease for 15 years on my premises started in 2011. I am eligible for business rates each year so far as I understand that. Unless I bring the lease to a close by notice to the landlord etc. I'm not sure about a rent agreement. I suppose talking to them might help to get further information on what they are saying you owe them for, or not.

London_Mark_2

Thank you CIS for answer. Seems cant do nothing but pay up before the court proceedings.

MEM62

You sold the business. What conditions in the contract of sale did you make in respect of the premises and the costs attached to it?

National_Debtline

CIS is correct about the liability for this debt. Please be aware, as well, that you will be liable for the business rates, gas, electric, water etc. until the original lease agreement finishes or until the landlord lets the property again with a new lease. Commercial tenancies can run for years so if there is a lot of time left on this tenancy it would be a good idea to call Business Debtline for more advice.


Laura
@natdebtline