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17/12/25 3:30 pm
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VSD Properties UK Ltd has lost a £200,000 legal battle after failing to pay rates on a commercial property for years.
Dudley Council’s business rates and recovery team had pursued the case, and billed an empty rates charge effective from September 2018. The firm did not offer a defence, according to a council spokesman.
An empty rates charge is applied to vacant commercial properties after an initial relief period (usually up to six months), encouraging owners to occupy or rent them out.
The council instructed its solicitors Greenhalgh Kerr in June 2024 and obtained liability orders. However, these remained unpaid, and it started enforcement proceedings against VSD Properties UK, a landlord in Dudley town centre.
During the last 18 months, the firm sought to dispute its liability, resulting in further court hearings. When these failed, an agreement was reached for VSD to pay the full amount of its debt.
In a separate matter, Dudley Council also moved to wind up the firm in the High Court last October under the Insolvency Act, naming itself as a creditor. However, this was unsuccessful.
More than £75,000 of the debt has now been paid, with the remainder in the process of being secured. According to Companies House, VSD has up-to-date accounts and is still trading.
Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for resources (pictured), says he’s 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,” adds Clark. “I hope this will serve as a reminder that businesses must pay their fair share or risk facing the consequences.”
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