Business Rates

Business rates in the borough

• Proposed Local Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme

  Here you can find documentation on the Proposed Local Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme.

• About business rates

  Information on business rates, including discounts and payment methods.

• Business Rates Revaluation and the Spring Budget

  The 2017 Revaluation comes into effect from 1 April 2017 and is based on rental values on 1 April 2015.

• Business Rates explanatory notes

  Business Rates explanatory notes

• Business rate supplements

  The Business Rate Supplements Act 2009 enables authorities to levy a supplement on the business rate to support additional projects aimed at economic development of the area.

• Rateable values and appeals

  The rateable values of all business properties are assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) which is an agency of Her Majestys Revenue and Customs.

• Transitional arrangements

  Transitional arrangements are designed to phase in the effect of a revaluation

• Contact Business Rates

  How to contact the Business Rates team

Discounts and business rates relief

• Hardship relief

  Information on Hardship Relief and how to apply.

• New build empty properties

  Information on new build empty properties and rates

• Small Business Rate Relief

  The Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), was introduced from 1 April 2005 to help small businesses.

• Empty properties

  With effect from 1 April 2008 empty properties will be exempt from business rates for the first three months they are empty

• Local Business Rates Discount

  Information on the Local Business Rates Discount

• Mandatory and Discretionary Rate Relief

  Registered charities are entitled to charitable rate relief (also known as mandatory rate relief) where the property they occupy is used wholly or mainly for charitable purposes. Registered charities and not for profit organisations may also be eligible to apply for Discretionary Rate Relief if they meet the criteria.

Forms

• Moving out of the borough

  Complete our online form to notify us that you are a business moving out of the borough

• Moving into the borough

  An online form to notify us that you are a business moving into the borough

Payments and billing

• Paying Business Rates

  Information on payment methods for Business Rates

• Business Rates E-billing

  Business rate payers who have opted to pay their rates by direct debit can receive their rates bill by email (E-billing).