Small Business Rates Relief

Appeal My Rates UK

Who does it apply to? 

Any property with a rateable value of less than £15000 in England is eligible for the relief as long as certain criteria are met: 

It must be occupied by a trading business 

The business must not be claiming small business relief on any other property in England (subject to certain other rules -see below).

How does it work?

Rateable values below £12000 get 100% relief. 

A sliding scale of discount then applies to rateable values between £12000 and £15000 so for example if your rateable value is £13,500, you’ll get 50% off your bill. If your rateable value is £14,000, you’ll get 33% off. 

What if I am paying rates on another property?

This relief is only available to ratepayers with either one property in England or one main property and other additional properties in England, providing that, from 1 April 2017, the additional properties have rateable values of not more than £2,899 and that the total rateable value of all the properties is not more than £19,999 outside Greater London or £27,999 inside Greater London. From 1 April 2005, the equivalent thresholds were £2,199, £14,999 and £21,499 and from 1 April 2010 were £2,599, £17,999 and £25,499. The chargeable amount for the additional properties is calculated without small business relief, but from 1 April 2012, their bills are calculated using the small business non-domestic rating multiplier, unless empty or subject to mandatory relief.

Can it be backdated?

Yes. The council can backdate 6 years and have the discretion to go further.

How do I apply for it?

Most councils will have an online application form but not always so you may need to call them. If you are having difficulties or the council have refused your application, then contact us to see if we can help. If you instruct us to sort out your small business rates relief issues, we charge a small one off fee and it ranges from £250 to £495 depending on the work needed to get the relief for you. 

In the first instance we will establish if you are entitled to the relief and this part of the consultation is free. If you are not entitled to it we will tell you.