The owners of the Melita Honey Farm in Tasmania will have their home auctioned in three weeks after failing to pay their council rates since 2010 because they believe the land is owned by God.

A letter from the owners, the Beerepoot family, to the Meander Valley council earlier this year said: "Council's world view is that the 'law of the land' governs life and thus also provides progress, growth and security. On the other hand, we believe that our Heavenly Father is Sovereign and that He reigns today, thus we worship Him and Him alone so that His will is established on the earth … you are asking us to bow down to a false god which is something we cannot do."

Meander Valley mayor Craig Perkins said the farm's owners had not made contact with the council since a real estate agent was appointed last month.

"On the first of September at 11am at the council office we will be auctioning the property, presuming they don't pay all monies that are owned before then," he said.