Business Rates - General Information

Business Rates

We collect Business Rates on behalf of the government. To see the government's guidelines and information on Business Rates see their useful information guide.

Your Rates bill is calculated by multiplying the Rateable Value (RV) by the multiplier, or Uniform Business Rate. This year, the multiplier is 0.433 (or 0.426 if you have received Small Business Rates Relief).

The occupier of a non-domestic property - usually this is the owner-occupier or leaseholder - normally pays the Business Rates. If a property is empty, the owner or leaseholder will have to pay the full charge after a free period of either three or six months, depending on the type of property.

If you are moving into a business premises, please complete and return the Moving in form.

The Valuation Office (Inland Revenue) is responsible for setting the RV of each property in England. The RV is revalued every five years in a nationwide revaluation. The next one is due in 2010.

If you think your RV is wrong, you can appeal to the Valuation Office (VO). See the Explanation Notes for more information. You can also appeal if there has been a material change to your property (e.g. demolitions, major road works, change in use and structural change).

If you fall into arrears with your Business Rates, we will take further action in line with our recovery programme/Collection Process. Please speak to us as soon as you experience difficulties.

If you overpay your Business Rates or your bill is reduced due to a reduction in RV, we will refund the money on receipt of a completed Refund claim form. Please download and submit the form.

If you have any questions, please contact us. You need to provide your details:

• Account number
• Address of the property and the person or company responsible for the business rates (the occupier).

We aim to deal with your request within 10 days but this may not be possible at peak times.