It appears to be well known that for councils in Australia, it is illegal to charge rates, yet they do it anyway & evict people & sell their property to pay for any unpaid rates. Our rates have risen in the last 20 years or so from $300,00 to $1,000,00. It is virtually impossible for us to become self-reliant whilst we still have to pay these rates. We are completely off grid, with no services being provided. We have not signed any contract with the council to provide any services. However, we certainly can not afford to fight this in court. Does anyone know of any legal means to avoid paying these illegal rates/taxes without any repercussions? Is there any chance that the "WIRRAL COUNCIL – ADMITS THAT COUNCIL TAX IS UNLAWFUL AND SETS A LEGAL PRECEDENT" http://australiansurvivalandpreppers.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/wirral-council-admits-that-council-tax_23.html will be of any help in this regard? Thank you. Sincerely, Keith H.

Total Digital Solutions Limited were the subject of Administration and RSM Tenon Recovery were appointed joint Administrators on 1st August 2012. An immediate disposal of TDS was the business and assets was done by sale to Apogee Corporation Limited on the same day. TDS appear to have used Shire leasing for customer agreements. TDS core business was described as supply of latest technology,document,printy,copy,scan,and management services,and traded from premises in North West. I have been made aware that there are some business owners who are now questioning the validity of the contracts they entered into with TDS. I have seen evidence which shows that TDS mis sold an agreement,and when challenged,agreed to take over the remaining liability and continue the payments to Shire. For almost a year the business concerned made no payments and assumed that TDC as indicated in writing was paying. The dispute around the legitimacy of the agreement involved a number of things. 1.That the Customer was led to believe that the contract was only for 12 months which turned out to be 5 years. 2.That the customer was then offered a telecoms marketing package which comprised of bluetooth technology being provided outside his premises. Although a printer/copier was listed on the agreement,no printer was provided.When questioned about this the response was unacceptable. No mention of the bluetooth or associated services was made on the agreement 3.TDS applied a personal guarantee on the agreement,which the business man assures me he did not agree to or know about. The Business is now recieving telephone demands for arrears on 2 accounts from Shire. Shire have been informed of the situation,and in fact an email exists from when the arrangement was made by TDS to take over the account liability. When asked to provide these demands in writing,Shire said they had no need to do so and would be taking proceedings if he did not pay. Shire themselves are no strangers to controversy,and an internet search reveals that they were a party to previous regulatory investigations. Shire are holders of a number of Consumer Credit licences. If anyone has been affected by the TDS Administration and sale,please post details in this thread.