SEIZED, SOLD: Three lose land for failing to pay rates
THREE Southern Downs property owners who failed to pay rates had their properties seized and sold at public auction on May 10.
Two properties in Thane and one property in Maryvale were sold by the Southern Downs Regional Council.
Five properties were originally flagged for overdue rates and were given until the morning of the auction to pay any outstanding fees.
Only three of the properties went to auction and were sold.
Under section 140(1) of the Local Government Regulation 2012, land may be sold if rates remain unpaid for a period of three years.
"Once a rate or charge becomes overdue council will issue two reminder notices," a Southenrn Downs Regional Council spokeswoman said.
Further steps are then taken to retrieve the outstanding fees before legal advice is given.
"Once council resolves to sell land for overdue rates and charges, a council officer attempts to contact each land owner by phone to confirm receipt of a Notice of Intention to Sell."
The council is unable to disclose the price that each of the properties was sold for due to confidentiality reasons.
