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

  Here you can find the eligibility criteria for the 2017-18 Local Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme.

• 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

  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 arrangements

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

• Contact Business Rates

  Information on ways to contact the Business Rates team including email, telephone, post, fax or in person by arranging an appointment.

Discounts and business rates relief

• Hardship relief

  Information on how you can apply for Hardship relief with contact details of the Policy and Control Team.

• 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 Local Business Rates Discounts which local authorities have the power to grant in order to encourage new business and local investment.

• 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 ways to pay Business Rates including Direct Debit, Standing Order, online, telephone, bank giro credit, post or via C.H.A.P.S.

• 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).