Douglas Council leader David Christian has vowed that the town hall will be ’relentless’ in hunting down those who don’t pay their rates.

Mr Christian made the pledge following prosecution against three property owners over their rates arrears.

’These recent successful prosecutions send out a clear message,’ said Mr Christian, ’that the council will be relentless and have no hesitation in taking legal action and ultimately seeking possession of these properties to be sold at coroner’s auction in order to recover rate arrears.

’Substantial debts such as these potentially place an unwarranted burden on the vast majority of responsible property owners who pay their rates on time.’

It was also revealed a number of properties for which rates had not been paid were owned by people off-island.

Earlier in the summer, the council applied for orders for the Coroner of Middle to seize three properties and sell them in order to obtain outstanding rates due. In the first hearing, the council was granted possession of the property, which was sold at coroner’s auction.

The second case saw the council awarded legal costs of £2,200 and an attachment of earnings order - where the debt is paid directly by the employer - was made against the defendant.

In the third hearing, the defendant was ordered to pay all outstanding arrears by tomorrow (Wednesday). The case was adjourned until September 1, when the council will seek to recoup all legal costs.

On top of the three court cases, legal action by the town hall has led to a further 16 properties now being in the process of being sold to recover outstanding rates amounting to £32,668.26.

Fourteen of the properties to be sold are owned by non-Isle of Man residents.

Mr Christian added: ’Collecting rates is the means by which the council has the financial resources to deliver services to its customers.

’Failure to pay rates therefore not only impacts directly on the council but also, in the longer term, on the wider community of Douglas.

’In all of the cases, the rates debtors had had multiple correspondence from both the council and our advocates, which they chose to ignore.

’Court proceedings of this nature are the end of a very long process. I would urge anyone who is having difficulty in paying their rates to talk to the council to make some arrangement to pay.’

â?¢ Earlier this month, it was revealed ratepayers were going to have to pay out more to cover the council’s public sector housing budget. Costs spiralled due to an unanticipated increase in legal costs, the monthly council meeting was told, leading to the housing committee’s request to increase the housing subsidy by £69,072 to £365,732.