Business rates - rate relief

Those circumstances include:

• The property is unoccupied
• Is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes
• It is the sole business supplying a rural area

We also have discretion to give relief on all or part of any rate bill for property occupied by certain non-profit making bodies. They can also consider giving rate relief in cases of hardship or where part of a property is beyond use for a certain period.

Charitable relief

Charities are entitled to relief from rates on any non-domestic property that is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes. Relief is given at 80% of the bill. Local councils have discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill.  

Discretionary relief

Councils have discretion to give relief on all or part of any rate bill for property occupied by certain non-profit making bodies. They can also give rate relief in cases of hardship or where part of the property is beyond use for a certain period.

Exempt properties

Some types of property are exempt from business rates. This means that no business rates are charged for them. Exempt properties include:

• Agricultural land and buildings
• Fish farms
• Churches and other places of worship
• Sewers
• Public parks
• Certain property used by disabled people
• Swinging moorings for boats

Hardship relief

Councils may reduce or remit business rates if it is satisfied that certain conditions are met. Those conditions include the following:

• The ratepayer would sustain hardship if the authority did not do so; and
• It is reasonable for the authority to do so having regard to the interests of persons subject to its council tax

Contact your local council for further details. 

• Discretionary relief on East Dorset

  Discretionay rate relief is available for a range of organisations and can be awarded in addition to mandatory charitable relief

• Empty Property Rating

  The Government has reformed empty property relief in order to provide a strong incentive to bring empty property back into use.

• Small Business Rate Relief

  In order to limit the amount of rates small businesses have to pay the government first introduced Small Business Rates Relief in April 2005. The scheme has been updated from April 2010.