There are a number of different reductions available for business rates:
Transitional relief
Property values normally change a good deal between each revaluation. Transitional arrangements help to phase in the effects of these changes by limiting increases in bills. To help pay for the limits on increases in bills, there also have to be limits on reductions in bills.
Under the transition scheme, limits continue to apply to yearly increases and decreases until the full amount is due (rateable value times the appropriate multiplier). The scheme applies only to the bill based on a property at the time of the revaluation. If there are any changes to the property after 1 April 2005, transitional arrangements will not normally apply to the part of a bill that relates to any increase in rateable value due to those changes. Any transitional adjustments are shown on the front of your bill.
Empty properties
Business rates will not be payable in the first three months that the property is empty (six months for certain industrial properties). After this period empty rate is payable at the full rate. There are a number of exemptions such as listed buildings and land used as storage. From 1 April 2009 properties with a rateable value of less than £15,000 are also exempt.
Important changes to the empty property rates from 1 April 2008.
Partly occupied property relief
A ratepayer is liable for the full non-domestic rate whether a property is wholly occupied or only partly occupied. Where a property is partly occupied for a short time, the local authority has discretion to award relief in respect of the unoccupied part. Full details can be obtained from the local authority.
Small business rate relief
This is available at 50 per cent for ratepayers occupying single properties with a rateable value up to £5,000.
The relief is only available to ratepayers with either one property or one main property and other additional
properties with rateable values of less than £2,200.
Charity relief
Charities are entitled to an 80 per cent reduction in their bills. The Council has the discretion to reduce the bill further. In addition, the council has the discretion to grant relief to some other types of non-profit making bodies. Application forms can be requested online using our charity relief form.
Non-profit making organisation relief
The local authority has discretion to give relief to non-profit making organisations.
Former agricultural premises relief
Certain businesses set up on agricultural land or in buildings that were previously exempt from the non-domestic rate may be entitled to 50 per cent relief until 14 August 2006, if the property is occupied and the rateable value less than £7,000. The local authority also has discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill.
Hardship relief
This discretionary relief can be granted by the council if you are experiencing hardship and your business is considered to be important to the local community.
How to access the service
Please contact us at the address below or visit Access Point - Catford; on Thursdays we offer late appointments up until 7pm.
Please remember to notify us immediately when you move or vacate any property. Documentary evidence may be required to alter our records.