If you have an unoccupied retail, hospitality or leisure non-domestic property, you may qualify for a 50% reduction in your business rates bill. For more information please see our Reliefs and Unoccupied Properties Page.
What are business rates?
Business Rates is a local tax that is paid by the occupiers of all non-domestic/business property, in the same way that council tax is a tax on domestic property.
Business Rates are charged on most business properties such as shops, offices, pubs, warehouses and factories. However, the property doesn’t have to be used for a business – if it is used for purposes which are not domestic it is likely to be rateable. We will send you a business rates bill each year.
How do I notify you that I am occupying or vacating a non-domestic assessment?
To register for business rates or to notify us of your vacation of a non-domestic property in the Rother District, please complete the online form below.
How to pay
For information on how to pay, please visit: How to pay
Roles and responsibilities
The VOA sets the rateable value of business premises by using property details such as rental information.
We use the rateable value and the business rates multiplier (set by central government) to calculate your business rates bill.
| Year | Small business multiplier | Standard multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 48.4p | 49.7p |
| 2017/18 | 46.6p | 47.9p |
| 2018/19 | 48.0p | 49.3p |
| 2019/20 | 49.1p | 50.4p |
| 2020/21 | 49.9p | 51.2p |
| 2021/22 | 49.9p | 51.2p |
| 2022/23 | 49.9p | 51.2p |
| 2023/24 | 49.9p | 51.2p |
What is the rateable value?
The rateable value is assessed by the Valuation Office Agency, which is an agency of HM Revenue and Customs.
A property’s rateable value is an assessment of the annual rent the property would rent for if it were available to let on the open market for a fixed valuation date.
From 1 April 2017, the rateable values will be based on the valuation date of 1 April 2015.
From 1 April 2023, the rateable values will be based on the valuation date of 1 April 2021.
Can I appeal against my property’s valuation?
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) values all business properties for business rates. The valuation is based on information the VOA holds about your property. You can view and update this information at gov.uk/voa/valuation.
You can contact the VOA at gov.uk/contact-voa. If you are unable to use the online service you can also contact the VOA on 03000 501 501.
Business rates explanatory notes
From 1st April 2017, authorities are no longer required to provide individual copies of explanatory notes when bills are issued. Instead, these are published on our Business Rates Explanatory Notes page.
