Business rates reductions & exemptions
Summary
There are ways you may be able to reduce the amount of business rates you have to pay. This page has information about:
- Mandatory & Discretionary Relief;
- Exemptions (properties where business rates don't have to be paid), and;
- Hardship.
If your business qualifies for Mandatory & Discretionary Relief, you can download the form below and make an application.
If you own a small business, you may qualify for Small Business Rate Relief.
How to apply for Mandatory & Discretionary Rate Relief
- Download and print the application form (below);
- Read the guidance notes on the form;
- Complete the form, which asks for:
- name, owner & details of the organisation;
- correspondence address;
- the type of rate relief you are applying for;
- details of the organisation, and;
- details of the property. - Make sure you can find all the documents the application form asks for (e.g. proof of charity registration etc.);
- Sign and date the declaration;
- Return the form to the Business Rates Office at the address at the foot of this page.
Printable forms
The following link(s) require a plug-in, and will open in a new browser window [
]. About downloading files.
Download the Mandatory & Discretionary Rate Relief application form [PDF, 115 Kb]
Further information
Mandatory & Discretionary Rate Relief
Charities and registered Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) are entitled to 80% relief where the property is occupied by the charity or the club, and is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes or as a Registered CASCs. We have discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill. We also have the discretion to give relief to non-profit making organisations.
To apply for this rate relief, download the above application form and follow the instructions fo filling it in.
Exemptions from business rates payment
Some non–domestic properties are not rateable, namely:
- Farm land and buildings;
- Churches;
- Sewers;
- Public parks, and;
- Certain properties used for disabled people.
Hardship
We may grant you relief on your rates payments if you would suffer hardship if you had to pay the whole bill. We must make sure that granting this relief benefits the wider community as well as you, so to receive this relief you would need to demonstrate that your business was a vital amenity and the only one of its type in the area.
For further information please get in touch with us - our contact details are at the foot of this page.
Related pages on this website
External links
Valuation Office Agency: Business Rates
Business Rates homepage of the Valuation Office - includes general information, and the ability to look up the rateable value of your property
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Business Rates Officer |
|---|---|
| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | nndr@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| freephone: | 0808 178 7142 |
| telephone: | 01508 533885 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
|
|
|
If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.
Last updated on: 07 April 2008