Business Rates Reliefs

It also includes changes to small business rates levels introduced in the last budget.

The following reliefs are available to ratepayers:

Small business Relief

The current rateable value threshold for small business rate relief is £15000. The maximum amount of relief that can be awarded is 100% for properties with a ratable value of less than £12,000 and where the ratepayer occupies it as their sole property. Properties with a rateable value between £12,000 and £15,000 are entitled to a proportion of relief up to 100%. Properties with a rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000 will not receive any relief but will still benefit from the lower rate multiplier.

For those businesses that take on an additional property which would normally have meant the loss of small business rate relief, the Government confirmed that they will be allowed to keep that relief for a period of 12 months

If you would like to apply for small business rate relief simply contact us on 01205 314200 or email the business rates team.

Charity and registered community amateur sports club relief

Charities and registered community amateur sports clubs are entitled to 80% mandatory relief where the property is occupied by a charity or a club and it is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes.

We have the discretion to allow further relief on the remaining amount. Please review the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy and if you feel you meet the criteria, simply contact us on 01205 314200 or email the business rates team.

Non profit making organisation relief

We have the discretion to award discretionary rate relief to non-profit making organisations.  Please review the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy and if you feel you meet the criteria, simply contact us on 01205 314200 or email the business rates team.

Hardship relief

We have the discretion to award hardship rate relief in exceptional circumstances.  Please review the Hardship Rate Relief Policy and if you feel you meet the crtiteria, please contact us on 01205 314200 or email the business rates team.

Rural rate relief

Certain types of properties in a defined rural area with a population below 3000 may be entitled to rural rate relief. The property must be the only general store, the only post office, or the only food shop and have a rateable value of less than £8,500. Or if it is the only public house or petrol filling station the rateable value must be less than £12,500.

The property has to be occupied. If you are eligible to receive this relief the amount awarded is 100% of the full charge.

In addition to this, we can sometimes award relief on certain other occupied properties in a rural settlement where the rateable value is less than £16,500.

For further information or advice, please contact us on 01205 314200 or email the business rates team.

Exemptions from empty property rating

Business rates is not normally paid for the first 3 months that a property is empty. This is extended to 6 months if the property is industrial. After this period rates are payable in full unless the unoccupied property rate has been reduced by the Government. In most cases the unoccupied property rate is zero for properties owned by charities or community amateur sports clubs in addition, there are a number of other exemptions from the empty property rate such as listed buildings.  For further information or advice, please contact us on 01205 314200 or email the business rates team.

Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief 

See the article link below for more information about Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief.