A Gisborne district councillor has questioned whether writing off more than $770,000 in unpaid rates can be avoided.
If rates have gone unpaid for six years, during which time collection through the court system is unsuccessful, the council must write it off as bad debt .
Photo: LDR / Supplied
If rates have gone unpaid for six years, during which time collection through the court system is unsuccessful, the council must write it off as bad debt .
Councils are legally barred from starting court action to collect payments beyond that six-year mark.
Unpaid rates from the 2015/16 year totalled $773,000 and will be written off in the 2020/21 year.