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Business Rates are collected by the Council. This money, together with certain other sums, is used to pay for the services provided by your local council and other local authorities in your area.

Each non-domestic property has a rateable valuable which is normally set by the valuation officers at the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). The rateable value of your property will be shown on the front of your bill. The rateable value broadly represents the yearly rent the property could have been let for on the open market on a particular date.

The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property) can also appeal against the value shown in the list if they believe it is wrong. Visit the Valuation Office Agency website for further information.

Reductions relief

There are a number of different reductions available for Business Rates. These are:

Transitional relief

After each revaluation there is a period of transition. No bill is allowed to increase or decrease by more than a set percentage. Any property with a large increase or decrease in its rateable value will therefore come under the transitional relief scheme, which has the effect of phasing the valuation in over a period of time. If transitional relief applies to your rates bill, it will be applied automatically.

Empty properties

If a property is empty and unused, no business rates are normally payable for the first three months and 50% of the full bill is payable after this period has elapsed. Some types of business property are exempt from empty property rates. An exemption will automatically be applied to your bill, if appropriate, when you advise the council that the property has become empty.

Charity relief

Charities are entitled to an 80% reduction in their bills. The Council has the discretion to reduce the bill further. In addition, the council has the discretion to grant relief to some other types of non-profit making bodies.

Rate relief

Rate relief is available for businesses with rateable values of up to £6000, where the business is set up on previously agricultural land or buildings. Subject to certain conditions, the business will get a 50% reduction in the rates bill for up to five years. Local councils have discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill on such property.

Rate relief for small businesses

If your property has a rateable value under £15,000 you may be eligible for the relief. Click on the link below for further details.

More about small business rate relief

Hardship relief

This discretionary relief can be granted by the council if you are experiencing hardship and your business is considered to be important to the local community

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