Business rates

A brief overview of business rates

Businesses and other occupiers of non-domestic properties pay non-domestic rates (often known as business rates) to directly contribute towards the costs of council services.

The council collects non-domestic rates, which are then pooled by the Government, and redistributed back to local councils. This money, together with revenue from council tax collection and Government grants, is used to pay for the services provided by your council and other local authorities such as the County Council and police in your area.

2010 revaluation

Every five years the Valuation Office Agency carries out a revaluation of all the rateable values in England and Wales. The current revaluation comes into force from 1 April 2010 with the introduction of the 2010 Rating List. For further information on the revaluation process a fact sheet is available via the VOA website Business Link This link will take you to an external website... . For advice on finding a professional rating agent a leaflet can be downloaded from the right of the page.

Business rates change of circumstance forms

To notify us you have either occupied or vacated a property which would be liable for business rates please use the forms on the right of the page.

Business rates contact

If you would like further information, please contact us using the contact details on the right. The council's revenues and benefits service, which includes business rates, is provided by the council's contractors Capita Local Government Services.