Business rates are also often referred to as national non domestic rates (NNDR), or uniform business rates. However they are all the same.
There are approximately 5,000 business premises in the Preston area and Preston City Council is responsible for collecting business rates in respect of these properties. The total billed for 2009/10 was approximately 60 million pounds.
The national non domestic rates (NNDR), or business rates, collected by Preston City Council are the means by which businesses, and others who occupy a non domestic property, make a contribution towards the cost of local services. We can explain what NNDR is and how you can look up the rateable value (RV) of any high street or commercial property. We can also explain how charities, small businesses and some businesses in rural areas may be able to reduce their business rates, and provide you with the necessary forms to fill in.
If you do not already do so, please pay your business rates by monthly direct debit. Just telephone 01772 906972 to make the arrangement or alternatively complete an on-line form.
These pages are intended to give an outline of business rates, so it should not be regarded as a complete guide to the regulation's.
Important changes
Small Business Rate Relief
It was announced on 18th September 2009 that the Government has decided to remove the requirement to re-apply for Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR). The Renewal forms, that were due to be issued by the council in October 2009, will no longer be issued (see section on Small Business Rate Relief for further information).
2010 Small Business Rate Relief Rateable Value thresholds
The RV (rateable value) thresholds will be increased as part of the revaluation. Ratepayers with an RV of £5000 or below currently receive 50% relief. This will increase to £6000.
Eligible ratepayers with an RV between £5001 and £10000 receive relief on a sliding scale. The £10000 will be increased to £12000.
For properties with RVs between £6001 and £12000, relief will be available on a sliding scale from 50% down to 0% relief i.e. for each £120 RV above £6000 the relief will be reduced by 1%.
Eligible ratepayers with an RV between £10001 and £14999 currently have their rates liability calculated using the small business non-domestic multiplier (currently 0.4p less than the national non-domestic rating multiplier). These thresholds will increase from £10,001 to £12,001 and £14999 to £17999 and the difference in multiplier for 2010/2011 is 0.7p.
Additional properties with an RV up to £2199 are currently disregarded in considering entitlement to small business rate relief. This threshold will increase to £2599.
Check your 2010 Rateable Value
The council uses the rateable value provided by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to work out your business rate bill. You can check your rateable value and compare it with others on the VOA website. You can also get in touch if you need to let them know of any issues.
2010 Empty Property Rate Relief Threshold
In 2009/10 all empty properties with rateable values up to £15,000 were exempt from business rates. This temporary measure has been extended for a further 12 months - the whole of 2010/11, and the threshold has been increased to a rateable value of £18,000 in line with the general movement of property values at revaluation.
From 1 April 2011 this threshold will reduce to £2600.
2010 Rural Rate Relief Thresholds
Sole shop or post office will increase from £7000 to £8500.
Sole petrol station or pub will increase from £10500 to £12500.
Threshold for Rural discretionary relief will increase from £14000 to £16500.
2010 Transitional Relief Scheme
The transitional arrangements for 2010-2015 have now been finalised. Please see related page 'Transitional Arrangement', part of the 'Rate Reductions and Reliefs Explained' section.
2010 Provisional Multipliers
The provisional small business non-domestic multiplier for 2010/11 is 40.7p.
The provisional non-domestic multiplier for 2010/11 is 41.4p.
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