Business Rates - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What are National Non-Domestic Rates?
A. Non-Domestic Rates, or business rates as they are known, are payable on all business properties, whilst Council Tax is payable on all domestic properties. If your Business includes elements of both, for example. you run a Public House, you will pay Business Rates on the business premises and Council Tax on your living accommodation.

Q. Who sets the Non-Domestic Rate?
A. Rates are set by the Government and collected by the Council. The amount you pay depends on two factors:

 the rateable value of your property 
 the appropriate multiplier which is either the standard multiplier or the small business multiplier

Rates are paid into the Non Domestic Rate Pool, which is controlled by the Government, and are re-distributed back to local Councils in the form of grant.

Q. Who decides the Rateable Value of my property?
A. The Rateable Value of non-domestic properties is fixed by the Valuation Office Agency who revalue all properties for rates purposes every five years.

Q. The rateable value is too high
A. The rateable value is assessed by the Valuation Office and you can make a proposal to the Valuation Office Agency to have it reduced. You should note that your rates still need to be paid in accordance with the bill while any proposal is being pursued.

Q. I have appealed against my rateable value - do I still have to pay?
A. Yes. Rates are payable based on the rateable value which appears in the current Rating List and if you do not pay as shown on your bill, further action will have to be taken, even though an appeal may be outstanding. If your appeal is successful and your rates are reduced, interest is usually payable on any overpayment.

Q. How is my bill calculated?
A. To work out your bill you can start by multiplying your rateable value by the appropriate rating multiplier.

In many cases, the calculation above will result in the rates payable. However, for others, there will be further calculations to go through because of transitional arrangements and small business relief, charitable and discretionary relief and relief for sports clubs.

Q. What are Transitional Arrangements?
A. The 2005 revaluation resulted in increases in the rateable value of some properties and decreases for others. This could affect the amount of Business Rates payable by significant amounts. The Government decided continue with a transitional arrangements scheme to phase in these changes.

The basic principles are that your Rates bill should not go up or go down by more than set amounts, including inflation.

Q. I own/rent a business property which is empty, do I have to pay the full amount of Business Rates?
A. Business properties that are not in use may be liable to unoccupied property rates. After a 3 month empty rate free period, Rates are charged at 50 per cent of the full rate bill or of the transitional bill where transitional arrangements apply. Certain properties are exempt from empty rates, for example, listed buildings, those with a Rateable Value of less than £2200, and certain industrial properties. For more information contact the Rates Office helpline on Barnsley (01226) 774765

Q. Can Charities or other similar organisations get a reduction in the amount they have to pay?
A. Charities and registered community amateur sports clubs are entitled to relief from rates on any business property which is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes. The Council can also give discretionary rate relief towards all or part of a rate bill for a property occupied by organisations not established or conducted for profit.

Q. Do I have to pay all the bill at once?
A. No, everyone starts the financial year with the right to pay by 10 monthly instalments, starting in April. If you don't pay, your right to pay by instalments will be cancelled. Important information is available on this site about what will happen if you do not pay your rates.

Q. Where can I pay?
A. There is a choice of ways to pay your Business Rates. See the information on how to pay your Business Rates bill.

Q. What can I do if I cannot afford to pay?
A. Many businesses suffer cash flow problems at some stage. If there are exceptional circumstances, which mean that you cannot afford pay, the Council may be able to re-schedule the instalments to make things easier for you. Cases are assessed on individual circumstances and you should contact the Rates Office Helpline on Barnsley (01226) 774765.

 Q. Where can I get further advice about my Business Rates?
A. Information about Business Rates is included on this website. If you wish to talk to a member of staff please contact the Rates Office Helpline on Barnsley (01226) 774765.

Q. Why have you sent me a Reminder/Summons?
A. By law, the Council must send a Reminder if your instalments are not up-to-date. If you do not bring them up-to-date within 7 days and then keep them up to date, you lose the right to pay by instalments. If you do not comply with the Reminder, you will be sent a Summons and will have to pay court costs as well as your Business Rates. If you receive a Summons and do not pay in full before the hearing, the Council will apply for a liability order.  A liability order gives the Council the right to use bailiffs to obtain payment, to start Bankruptcy/Liquidation proceedings in certain circumstances, or to ask the Magistrates Court to commit a person to prison.

Q. What if I can't pay the amount on the Reminder/Summons?
A. If you are having difficulty paying, please contact us at the Rates office and we will try to come to an arrangement for payment with you.

Q. You have sent me a Summons and I want to make an arrangement to pay it off. Why do I still have to pay the costs?
A. By law, costs are payable when a liability order is obtained. Once a Summons has been issued, the only way to stop the Council from asking for a liability order is to pay the full amount before the hearing. Even when an arrangement is made, the Council still has to obtain a liability order, but we will not take any of the actions which it allows us to take as long as you keep to the arrangement we have made with you.