The Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) scheme is designed to help small businesses reduce their Business Rate demand.
Small Business Rate Relief is only available to ratepayers who occupy either:
(a) one property, or
(b) one main property and other additional properties providing those additional properties each have a rateable value which does not exceed £2,899
The rateable value of the property mentioned in (a), or the combined rateable value of all properties mentioned in (b), must not exceed £19,999 on each day for which relief is being sought. If the rateable value, or combined rateable value, increases above those levels, relief will cease from the day of the increase.
However, businesses that take on an additional property which would normally have meant the loss of Small Business Rate Relief will be allowed to keep that relief for a period of 12 months.
Please note that relief will only be granted on one property.
What amount of relief is available?
- Qualifying properties with a rateable value of not more than £12,000 will be entitled to 100% relief
- Qualifying properties with a rateable value of more than £12,000 but less than £15,000 will have relief calculated on a sliding scale, a tapered relief of between 100% and 0%, reducing to nil at £15,000
- Qualifying properties with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 will not have a percentage relief but will have their demand calculated using the Small Business Multiplier
Certain changes in circumstances will need to be notified to the local authority by a ratepayer who is in receipt of relief (other changes will be picked up by the local authority). The changes which should be notified are:
- the ratepayer taking up occupation of an additional property, and
- an increase in the rateable value of a property occupied by the ratepayer in an area other than the area of the local authority which granted the relief
Notification of any changes must be given to the local authority within 4 weeks of the day after the change. If this happens, there will be no interruption to the ratepayer’s entitlement to the relief. A notification that the ratepayer has taken up occupation of an additional property must be by way of a fresh application for relief. Notice of an increase in rateable value must be given in writing.
Note: If you qualify for another type of mandatory relief (such as Mandatory Charitable Relief), you will not be able to get Small Business Rate Relief.
To apply for Small Business Rate Relief please fill out the Rates Relief form. An application will only be considered when you have fully completed the form and provided all requisite supporting information.
Further advice and help for businesses is available from InvestSefton.
If you feel that the rateable value of the property is incorrect you can appeal at any time directly to the Valuation Office Agency.
Please note whilst your application is being processed, your current rates are due and payable as per your last demand notice.
If relief is awarded an amended rates demand will be issued with new payment instructions. This will take account of any payments you have already made.
Small Business Rates Relief can be backdated up to 6 years from the date the application is received.