Business rates are how businesses contribute towards the cost of local services.

We send out business rates bills in March each year.

If you occupy any business premises in the borough, you are liable to pay the business rates on it. This can be one person, a partnership, a limited company, a club or some other organisation.

Exemptions

Some types of property are exempt from business rates.

Full list of exempt properties (Gov.UK)

Rate relief or discounts

In some cases you may be eligible for a discount on your business rates bill. There are several different types of discount, or relief, you can apply for.

• If you occupy a property with a rateable value of £15,000 or less, you could claim small business rate relief
• If you use your property for charitable purposes, or if you're a non-profit making organisation, you may be entitled to charitable rate relief
• If your sports club is registered with HMRC, you can claim Community Amateur Sports Club rate relief
• If your property is empty or partly occupied for a short time, you could apply for empty or part-occupied property relief.