Business RatesThe information given below explains some of the terms which may be used on a Non-Domestic Rate Demand, and in the supporting information with it.
Further information about liability to Non-Domestic Rates may be obtained from the billing authority. Or alternatively information can be viewed on the Welsh Assembly Government Website.
The Non-Domestic Rates collected by billing authorities are paid into a central pool and redistributed to County Borough Councils and Police Authorities. Your Council and Police authority use their share of redistributed rate income, together with income from their Council Tax payers, Revenue Support Grants (provided by the National Assembly for Wales), and certain other sums, to pay for the services they provide.
Rateable Value
The rateable value of a Non-Domestic property is fixed in most cases by an independent Valuation Officer of the Valuation Office Agency. Non-Domestic properties are revalued every 5 years.
Non Domestic Rates - Information Booklet
Please note: if you cannot open the above link you can download a free PDF view on the following link
http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader
From 1st April 2005, the rateable value of a property represents its annual open market rental as at 1st April 2003. For composite properties, which are partly Domestic and partly Non-Domestic, the rateable value relates to the Non-Domestic part only. The values of all property in respect of which rates are payable to your authority are available on the Valaution Office website at the following link http://www.voa.gov.uk/cti/InitS.asp?lcn=0
Alteration of Rateable Value
The rateable value may alter if the Valuation Officer believes that the circumstances of the property have changed. The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property – For example: The owner) may also in certain circumstances, propose a change in value. If the ratepayer and the Valuation Officer do not agree the valuation within 3 months of the proposal being made, the matter will be referred as an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. Further information about how to propose a change in rateable value is available from Valuation Offices.
National Non-Domestic Rating Multiplier
This is the rate in the pound by which the rateable value is multiplied to give the annual rate bill for a property (For Example: Rateable Value x Multiplier = The Payable Rates).
The multiplier, set annually by the National Assembly for Wales, is the same for the whole of Wales and, except in a revaluation year, cannot rise by the more than the rate of the increase in the retail price index.
Backdating of Proposals and Appeals
The effect of successful proposals or appeals against new rateable values for the 1st April 2005 will be backdated to 1st April 2005 provided that they are made before the 1st October 2005. The effect of successful proposals or appeals made after 30th September 20056but before 1st April 2001 will be backdated to a day falling on or after 1st October 2005.
The effect of successful proposals or appeals made in a later financial year will be backdated to a day falling on or after 1st April in that financial year. Information about the circumstances in which a change in rateable value may be proposed and how such a proposal may be made available from the local valuation office shown above.
Further information about the new appeal arrangements may be obtained from:
Merthyr Tydfil District Valuation Office
Government Buildings
Castle Street
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 8TX
Telephone Number: 0300 0508021
Unnoccupied Property Rating
Owners of unoccupied non-domestic properties may be liable to empty property rates which are charged at 50% of the normal liability. Liability begins after the property has been empty for 3 months. Certain types of property (For Example: Factories, warehouses and where the rateable value is below 1500, are exempt from property rates.
Charitable & Discretionary Relief
Charities are entitled to relief from rates on any non-domestic property which is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes.
Mandatory Relief is given at 80% of the rate bill. Billing Authorities have discretion to remit all or part of the remaining 20% of a charity’s bill on such property, and can also give relief in respect of property occupied by certain bodies not established or conducted for profit.
Small Business Rate Relief
From April 1st 2007, the Welsh Assembly Government is replacing the existing Rural Rate Relief Scheme, with a Small Business Rate Relief Scheme. The new scheme is part of the Assembly’s policy to assist businesses in the most deprived areas of Wales, and under the proposals, businesses with:
- A rateable value under £2000 will receive 50% rate relief
- A rateable value between £2001 and £5000 will receive 25% rate relief
In addition, Post Offices with:
- A rateable value under £9000 will receive 100% rate relief
- A rateable value between £9001 and £12000 will receive 50% rate relief
No applications are required, and qualifying businesses will receive this award automatically, with reductions shown on the 2007/8 Business Rates demands issued in March 2007.
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