Dudley Council has won back over £200,000 following a successful debt recovery case.
The case was launched by the local authority due to issues with VSD Properties UK Ltd, a landlord in Dudley town centre who had not been paying rates.
In a statement, the council confirmed that it had instructed its solicitors, Greenhalgh Kerr, to begin enforcement proceedings against VSD Properties UK Ltd in June 2024 after having acquired a liability order but failing to receive payment from the landlord.
According to the council, VSD had attempted to ‘dispute its liability’ since June 2024, but the court hearings have resulted in the landlord agreeing to pay the debt in full.
With over £75,000 of the final amount having been paid, the council has said that the rest of the funds are ‘in the process of being secured’.
Cllr 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.’
