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 (Direct Debit taken
1st of each month).
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.
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.
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 the lower, Small-Business Rates multiplier.
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