Business Rates

These rates are calculated and collected by your Local Authority. You may be able to get business rates relief from your local council to reduce your bill. This is sometimes automatic, but you may need to apply.

Business rates are charged on most non-domestic properties, such as:

• Shops
• Offices
• Pubs
• Warehouses
• Factories
• Holiday rental homes or guest houses

Properties may be eligible for business rate relief dependent on factors such as size, location and type of building.  You can get small business rate relief if your property’s rateable value is less than £15,000.  For properties with a rateable value of £12,001 to £15,000, the rate of relief will go down gradually from 100% to 0%.

Certain properties are exempt from business rates. Also, you don’t have to pay business rates on empty buildings for 3 months. After this time, most businesses must pay full business rates although some will qualify for extended empty property relief. 

Contact your local council to discuss business rate relief schemes in more detail.

The rateable value can be queried through your local office of the Valuation Office Agency. The Valuation Office Agency website  can be used to check the rateable value of the property and find out what to do if you think the value is wrong. Information will also be available on your local authority website.

If you decide to challenge the rateable value, choose a company that is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation or Rating Surveyors Association.

The RICS have a Business rate helpline - call 024 7686 8555 for a free 30-minute consultation.

Better Business Regulation is a partnership between businesses, business support organisations and local regulatory services. Need help with regulations affecting your business and not sure where to start?