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.
> Download mandatory/discretionary
relief
Direct debit mandate
Set up a direct debit to pay your rates.
> Download
business rates direct debit
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.
> Download mandatory/discretionary
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.
> Download former
agricultural premises 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.
> Download hardship relief
New or altered property
> Download
new/altered property
Registered community amateur sports club
relief
If a property is occupied by a Registered CASC 80% mandatory rate
relief will be granted.
> Download mandatory/discretionary
relief
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:
> Download rural settlements
list
> Download rural rate relief
form
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.
> Download section 44a relief (part
occupied properties)
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.
> Download small business rates
relief
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 equivilent 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.
> Download occupation form
Vaction form
> Download vacation form
Related information
> Pay a
bill
> Business
> Business advice and support