The amount you pay and ways to reduce it

Business rates fact sheet

Your bill shows the rateable value that applies to your property. The amount on your bill is calculated by multiplying the rateable value (set by the valuation office agency) by the multiplier (set each year by the government), allowing for transitional relief where applicable. 

Transitional arrangements limit the increases/reductions each year in bills. See explanatory notes.

Reductions available to business ratepayers  These take the form of:

• small business rate relief
• unoccupied property rating
• charitable and discretionary relief
• transitional arrangements                   

For more details on the above see explanatory notes

• listed buildings
• small properties with a rateable value less than £2,200
• kept empty due to action by a local authority or court
• estate of deceased person
• land not being used
• warehouses / industrial (from 1 April 2008 exempt for up to 6 months only) 
• prohibited by law from being occupied
• subject to bankruptcy, companies being wound up
• owned by companies in administration (from 1 April 2008)
• empty property owned by charities or community amateur sports clubs (from 1April 2008).                   

If you would like more information on any of these reductions telephone the local taxation office on 020 8600 7777.