About business rates
Business Rates, also called non-domestic
rates, are a contribution made by businesses towards the cost of
services which we provide. They and are payable by the
occupier of business premises or, if the property is empty,
then the business rates are payable by the owner or tenant. There
are some important changes to the legislation relating to
unoccupied properties which started on 1 April 2008.
Business rates are collected by local
councils but are paid into a National Pool which Central Government
then redistributes back to us on a formula basis. The money,
together with council tax, revenue support grant provided by the
Government and certain other sums, is used to pay for the services
provided by the Council.
The amount of rates payable is calculated by
multiplying the Rateable Value of a property by the Non- Domestic
Rate Multiplier (less any reductions applicable). Business Rates
are set at the same rate in the pound (multiplier) across the whole
of England.