17Owners liable to pay rates not paid by occupiers

17 Owners liable to pay rates not paid by occupiers

17 Owners liable to pay rates not paid by occupiers

(1) This section applies to a rate or part of a rate for land (an unpaid rate) that is unpaid by the occupier of the land within 12 months after the payment date specified in the relevant rate notice.

(2) The owner of the land is liable to pay an unpaid rate, including interest and other related charges.

(3) Local Land Services must not recover an unpaid rate unless the owner has been given at least 28 days notice of the amount payable.

(4) An owner who pays an unpaid rate may recover the amount of the payment from the occupier who was given the rate notice.

(5) If there are 2 or more owners of the land, the owners are jointly and severally liable to pay the unpaid rate.

(6) An owner who pays Local Land Services more than the owner’s proportionate share of an unpaid rate may recover the excess from the other owners.

(7) This section does not affect the liability of an occupier to pay a rate.