Business Rates

Business Rates 2008-09 (903KB)

The Non Domestic Rating system was introduced in 1990 and replaced the rating system when the rates were set locally by each Council. Since 1990 the Government has set a rate in the pound which is known as the “multiplier” and this is multiplied by the rateable value of the property to give the gross amount of rates payable for the property.

A revaluation of all non-domestic properties was undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency on 1 April 1995, 1 April 2000 and 1 April 2005.

The income from non-domestic rates is collected by the Borough on behalf of the Government and then paid into a central government pool. The income is then redistributed between all local authorities on a per capita basis.  

Non Domestic Rates are payable by the occupier on shops, offices, warehouses and factories. Farm land and buildings, churches, and other types of property are not rated and are therefore classified as exempt.

If the property is not exempt, all commercial properties have a rateable value and the value as at 1 April 2005 will be equivalent to the annual rent that the property could have been let for on the open market with in 2003.

The Council’s Revenues and Benefits Service has seen national recognition, winning the Charter Mark for customer service excellence 3 years in a row and last October, both the CIPFA Public Servants of the Year award for service transformation, and the Most Improved Team of the Year category at the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) Awards.

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Page updated: 10 Jun 2008