Business rates explanatory notes

Payment of business rates bills is automatically set on a 10-monthly cycle. However, the Government has put in place regulations that allow ratepayers to require their local authority to enable payments to be made through 12 monthly instalments. If you wish to take up this offer, you should contact us as soon as possible. 

The local authority works out the business rates bill for a property by multiplying the rateable value of the property by the appropriate non-domestic multiplier. There are two multipliers: the standard non-domestic rating multiplier and the small business non-domestic rating multiplier. The Government sets the multipliers for each financial year, except in the City of London where special arrangements apply.

From 2024-25, the Government now has the discretion to treat the multipliers differently – that is, to index one by CPI, whilst freezing, or under-indexing the other; or to under-index them both, but by different amounts. 1 April 2024, the small business multiplier’s eligibility will be extended to properties below the threshold for the national multiplier at £51,000 which are vacant, on the central list or occupied by charities. The current multipliers are shown on the front of the bill.

Multipliers for a financial year are based on the previous year’s multiplier adjusted to reflect the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figure for the September prior to the billing year, a lower multiplier is set by the government. The current multipliers are shown on the front of your bill.

Apart from properties that are exempt from business rates, each non-domestic property has a rateable value which is set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

You can find a business rates valuation at the VOA website.

The rateable value of your property is shown on the front of your bill.

This broadly represents the yearly rent the property could have been let for on the open market on a particular date specified in legislation. 
 
You can find advice about how to check and challenge your business rates valuation at GOV.UK.

All non-domestic property rateable values are reassessed at revaluations. At revaluation, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) adjusts the rateable value of business properties to reflect changes in the property market. As indicates, the most recent revaluation is referred to above. The next revaluation will come into effect on 1 April 2026, based on rental values from 1 April 2024.

Frequent revaluations ensure the system continues to be responsive to changing economic conditions.

You can Find a business rates valuation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
 

Depending on individual circumstances, a ratepayer may be eligible for a rate relief (i.e. a reduction in their business rates bill). There are a range of available reliefs. Further details are provided below and at www.gov.uk/introduction-to-business-rates, at www.solihull.gov.uk/business/business-rates-reductions or by contacting us.

Some of the permanent reliefs are set out below but temporary reliefs may be introduced by the Government at a fiscal event. Further detail on current temporary reliefs is available at www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief. You should contact us for details on the latest availability of business rates reliefs and advice on whether you may qualify.

If a ratepayer’s sole or main property has a rateable value which does not exceed a set threshold, the ratepayer may receive a percentage reduction in their rates bill for the property of up to a maximum of 100%. The level of reduction will depend on the rateable value of the property.

For example, eligible properties with a rateable value below a specified lower threshold will receive 100% relief while eligible properties above the lower threshold and below a specified upper threshold may receive partial relief. The relevant thresholds for relief are set by the Government by order and can be obtained from us or at www.gov.uk/introduction-to-business-rates

Generally, these percentage reductions (reliefs) are 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 the limit set by order.
 
The aggregate rateable value of all the properties mentioned in (b), must also not exceed an amount set by order. For those businesses that take on an additional property which would normally have meant the loss of small business rate relief, they will be allowed to keep that relief for a fixed additional period. Full details on the relevant limits in relation to second properties and the current period for which a ratepayer may continue to receive relief after taking on an additional property can be obtained from us or at www.gov.uk/introduction-to-business-rates

Certain changes in circumstances will need to be notified to the local authority by the ratepayer who is in receipt of relief (other changes will be picked up by the local authority). The changes which should be notified are –
(a)    the property falling vacant,
(b)    the ratepayer taking up occupation of an additional property, or
(c)    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.

Charities and registered Community Amateur Sports Clubs are entitled to 80% relief where the property is occupied by the charity or the club and is wholly or mainly used for the charitable purposes of the charity (or of that and other charities), or for the purposes of the club (or of that and other clubs).

The local authority has discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill. Full details can be obtained from us or at www.solihull.gov.uk/business/business-rates-reductions  

At a revaluation, some ratepayers will see reductions or no change in their bill whereas some ratepayers will see increases. Transitional relief schemes are introduced at each revaluation to help those facing increases. Transitional relief is applied automatically to bills. Further information about transitional arrangements may be obtained from us or at www.gov.uk/introduction-to-business-rates

Local authorities have a general power to grant discretionary local discounts and to give hardship relief in specific circumstances. Full details can be obtained from us.

Business rates are generally payable in respect of unoccupied non-domestic property. However, they are generally not payable for the first three months that a property is empty. This is extended to six months in the case of certain industrial premises, whilst certain other properties such as vacant
 
listed buildings are not liable for business rates until they are reoccupied. Full details on exemptions can be obtained from us, or from gov.uk at www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief

The new UK subsidy control regime commenced from 4th January 2023. The new regime enables public authorities, including devolved administrations and local authorities, to deliver subsidies that are tailored for local needs. Public authorities must comply with the UK’s international subsidy control commitments.

The subsidy control legislation provides the framework for the UK-wide subsidy control regime. Further information about subsidy control can be found on the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/subsidy-control-regime

Ratepayers do not have to be represented in discussions about the rateable value of their property or their rates bill. However, ratepayers who do wish to be represented should be aware that members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation are qualified and are regulated by rules of professional conduct designed to protect the public from misconduct.

Before you employ a rating adviser or company you should check that they have the necessary knowledge and expertise, as well as appropriate indemnity insurance. Take great care and, if necessary, seek further advice before entering any contract.

Information relating to the relevant and previous financial years regarding the gross expenditure of the local authority is available at www.solihull.gov.uk/About-the-Council/Financial-documents. A hard copy is available by contacting us using the contact details on the back of your bill.