Business Rates Discounts

Small Business Rate Relief

The Small Business Rate Relief scheme is available for non-domestic properties from 1st April 2005. Properties with a rateable value below £5,000 are eligible for 50% rate relief on their liability, with higher rated properties (up to £10,000) on a decreasing scale.

Complete a Small Business Rate Relief claim form for 2006-2007

Complete a Small Business Rate Relief claim form for 2007-2010

Useful information and details on exemptions are available from these links.

If you do not wish to complete the rate relief application online, a printable version can be obtained at the bottom of the page. Please note if you are claiming for both periods, then claim forms for 2006-2007 and 2007-2010 must be completed and returned to us.

Unoccupied Property Rating

Non-Domestic properties which are unoccupied may be liable for empty property rates. Rates are charged at 100% of the full rate bill (or transitional bill if applicable). Liability begins after the property has been empty for three months. This is extended to six months in the case of certain industrial properties. In most cases, the unoccupied property rate is 0% for properties owned by charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs. In addition, there are a number of exemptions from the empty property rate. Full details on exemptions can be obtained from the Business Rates Section.

Charitable and Discretionary Relief

Charities are entitled to relief from rates on any non-domestic property which is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes. Relief is given at 80% of the full rate bill (or the transitional bill if applicable). From the 1st April 2004 amateur sports clubs can also qualify for 80% mandatory relief provided they are registered with the Inland Revenue as a Community Amateur Sports Club, known as CASC's. The Council has discretion to remit all or part of the remaining 20% of a charity's bill on such property and also has discretion to remit all or part of any rate bill in respect of property occupied by certain bodies not established or conducted for profit. >> Complete a claim form

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