Business Rates

Business rates in the borough

• About business rates

  Information on business rates, including discounts and payment methods.

• Local Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme 2019-20

  Information about the 2019-20 Local Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme.

• Business Rates explanatory notes

  Information about business rates explanatory notes including non-domestic rates, supplements and rateable value.

• 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 relief

  Transitional relief limits how much your bill can change each year as a result of revaluation.

• Contact Business Rates

  Find out how to contact the Business Rates team.

Discounts and business rates relief

• Retail Discount

  Guidance on eligibility for Retail Discount.

• Hardship relief

  In exceptional circumstances you may be able to eligible apply for hardship relief.

• Small business rate relief

  The small business rate relief (SBRR), was introduced from 1 April 2005 to help small businesses.

• Empty properties

  Information about empty properties which are exempt from business rates for the first three months they are empty.

• 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.

• Local business rates discounts

  We grant discretionary discounts to encourage new business and local investment.

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

  How to pay your business rates including direct debit, standing order, online, telephone, bank giro credit, post or CHAPS.

Privacy Notice

• Privacy Notice for Business Rates

  Information about the Council’s Privacy Notice for Business Rates