Business Rates

• Non-Domestic Rates
• Rateable Value
• National Non-Domestic Rating Multiplier
• Transitional Arrangements
• Empty Property Rates
• Charities and Discretionary Relief
• Small Business Rate Relief
• Rate Relief for Businesses in Rural Areas
• Useful links

Non-Domestic Rates

This is how the Council receives a contribution of money towards paying for local services, from businesses within the district. Non-domestic rates are commonly referred to as 'business rates'. The rates that Stroud District Council has collected are then transferred to central government, who then spread the money between all councils to pay for the services that they are expected to provide. The amount of these payments is calculated by the amount of people living in that area (e.g. a district or borough with a population of 1 million would receive a higher proportion of money than an area with only 200,000).

Rateable Value

Each non-domestic property within the Stroud district has a 'rateable value'. In basic terms, this means that a business that operates within 300,000 sq ft would be required to contribute more than a business with only 500 sq ft. Officers from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an Agency of the Inland Revenue, decide exactly how much a business is 'worth' and decides the rateable value of that property on our behalf. This information is then provided on their website (www.voa.gov.uk). They are also available at:

Valuation Office Agency
Inland Revenue
Ley Court
Barnett Way
Gloucester
GL4 7RT
01452 360200

For ease of use, the rateable value of your commercial property is shown on your Business Rates bill. This can either be paid online on by post. You also have the right to appeal if you feel that the value has been misjudged - contact www.voa.gov.uk or your local valuation office for further guidance of the procedure.

National Non-Domestic Rating Multiplier

Your final Business Rates bill is worked out thus: by multiplying the rateable value of the property by the multiplier or 'poundage' which the Government sets from 1 April each year, for the whole of England , inline -but not exceeding - the current rate of inflation. (Your rent is multiplied by the government figure, which is approximately 0.45). So, for example, if your rent is £10,000 per annum, this is multiplied by 0.45 - so you would pay us £4,500. Should you then qualify for our small business rate, this can reduce your bill further, by up to 50%. Therefore, your £4,500 bill could now become £2,250 for the year, making the Stroud district a very good place from where to 'set-up shop'!

Transitional Arrangements

Of course, in the real world, property values normally change a good deal between each revaluation! Transitional arrangements work by phasing in the effects of these changes by limiting the amount by which a bill may rise following a revaluation.

Further information about transitional arrangements may be obtained from Stroud District Council or on the Department for Communities and Local Government website .

Empty Property Rates

If you have an EMPTY commercial property you need to be aware of forthcoming changes to business rates. These will apply throughout England - From 1 April 2008, most property that has been empty for more than three months - or in the case of industrial property, for more six 6 months - will no longer receive relief from rates.

If the property has already been empty for 3 or 6 months on 1 April 2008, the charge will apply immediately on that date. Think this might affect you? Download a form below.

PDF  Empty Property Rates - 14/01/2008 : 51Kb

Charities and Discretionary Relief

Charities are entitled to an 80% relief from rates on any non-domestic property, but we advise that you talk to an advisor from our Business Rates team around this issue. (We must point out that as well as being occupied by a Charity, the property must be in use for charitable purposes to qualify for the 80% relief).

Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR)

Small businesses are classed as having a maximum rateable value of £15,000. Some qualify for a discount; please see our guidance notes for further advice and assistance. If you believe you qualify for a discount please complete and return the business rate relief form below.

PDF  Explanation of Small Business Rate Relief - 14/01/2008 : 45Kb

PDF  Small Buisness Rate Relief Application Form - 14/01/2008 : 65Kb

Rate Relief for Businesses in Rural Areas

If you can prove that your business is a vital service to a rural community, further discounts on your Business Rates may be available. We class 'Rural' as a community with a population of less than 3,000. Relief can only be given to communities within a designated rural settlement, and the designated rural settlements are set by Central Government.  This denotes that not all small communities are eligible to apply.

To examine whether you may qualify under this jurisdiction, please contact our Business Rates team on: (01453) 754865, or e-mail revenue.services@stroud.gov.uk.

Useful links

www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk offers some good advice around this minefield, and gives you some handy tips around planning for the future.

PDF  Your Guide to Business Rates Booklet - 10/03/2008 : 474Kb

If you run a food business you must maintain high food hygiene standards. We offer low-cost courses for owners and employees to ensure that you meet the appropriate standards.

Please also read our FAQs on business rates for further information.

We also have a business rate and council tax guide which is available to download this can be found on our Council Tax and Business Rate page