Business rates discounts and forms
You may be eligible for various types of discounts or relief.
See the list below for a list of forms:
Charity relief
If a property is occupied by a charity and used for charitable
purposes 80% mandatory rate relief will be granted.
Direct debit mandate
Set up a direct debit to pay your rates.
Discretionary relief
If a property is occupied by a non-profit making organisation (e.g.
a sports club) the ratepayer can apply for discretionary rate
relief.
Former agricultural premises relief
If a property is added to the Rating List with an RV less than
£7,000 after having an agricultural exemption, the ratepayer may be
eligible for 50% mandatory relief and be considered for up to an
additional 50% discretionary relief.
Hardship relief
A ratepayer can apply for discretionary relief if they can prove
they're suffering from severe hardship and that it is in the
interests of local council tax payers to grant relief.
New or altered property
Registered community amateur sports club
relief
If a property is occupied by a Registered CASC 80% mandatory rate
relief will be granted.
Rural rate relief
If a property is the only post office, general store, public house
or petrol filling station situated in a settlement appearing on the
rural settlement list the ratepayer will be eligible for 50%
mandatory relief. We have the discretion to grant up to 100%. Both
mandatory and discretionary relief are subject to rateable value
restrictions. See if your business is in a qualifying area:
Section 44a Relief
A property which is partially empty for a short period of time can
be granted relief on the unoccupied portion at the discretion of
the billing authority based on a certificate issued by a Valuation
Officer.
Attention: Following a change in rates
legislation; please read the downloadable notes
below before making an application for 44a. They
supercede the notes on the rear of the application
form.
Small Business Rate Relief
If a ratepayer occupies either a single property with a Rateable
Value (RV) less than £15,000 or a main property plus additional
properties with RV's less than £2,200 totalling less than £15,000,
the ratepayer can apply for mandatory rate relief. Eligible
ratepayers will receive 50% relief on properties less than £5,000.
Properties with RV's between £5,000 and £9,999 may be eligible for
a tapered relief and properties over £10,000 will be calculated
using a multiplier of 0.415p.
Unoccupied property relief
All empty properties are exempt of rates for a short period
starting from when they first fall empty. It is a 3 month exemption
for shops and offices, and 6 months for industrial premises
(factories, workshops and warehouses). After the exemption period,
the premises will be billed at a rate equivalent to the occupied
charge. Certain classes of property are exempt for however long
they remain unused - please contact the Business Rates
office via the
benefits and payments enquiry form or on 01695 585036
for more information.
Vacation form
Related information