For the first time in 20 years, Waipā District Council has conducted a rating sale on a Cambridge property to recover nearly $32,000 of outstanding rates.
The Council says the ratepayer had owned the property since July 2014 and had not paid rates or metered water charges since September 9, 2016. In total, the Council was owed $31,978.98.
Interim chief executive, Ken Morris said taking legal action was the very last resort, as previously agreed payment arrangements had not been complied with.
“All other avenues to recover the outstanding debt were explored and were unsuccessful,” he said.
“There was no mortgage on the property and penalties had not achieved payment. The only option left was to go through the courts.”
The ratepayer, after being advised to make arrangements to clear the rates within three months of the judgement date, failed to do so, forcing the rating sale, Council said in a statement.
The proceeds of the sale will cover the unpaid rates and Council’s legal fees, with the remainder to be paid to the ratepayer.
Legal action is currently underway on 10 other properties in the district to recover $89,072.85.
