Reductions (relief)

There are a number of different discounts available

• Transitional relief
• Empty Properties
• Charities and registered community amateur sports clubs
• Rural Areas
• Non-agricultural businesses on agricultural land/property
• Hardship relief

Transitional relief

As property values often change between valuations, transitional arrangements are used to help phase the changes in.

After a valuation, the amount by which a bill can rise is limited. These limits continue to apply every year until the full amount is due (the rateable value times the multiplier).

Empty Properties

In general, for commercial properties, there will be no Business Rates to pay for the first three months a property is empty. Industrial buildings will not have to pay Business Rates for the first six months a property is empty. After the free period the full charge becomes payable. Once you let us know, we will adjust your bill - if you are eligible.

Listed buildings and small properties (those with a rateable value of less than £2200) pay no Business rates until occupied again.

Some businesses cannot claim empty property rates - if this is the case, we will let you know.

Charities and Registered Community Amateur Sports Clubs

Charities and registered community amateur sports clubs can get 80% discount off their Business Rate bills. In some circumstances, we can choose to reduce the bill further. We may be able to provide discounts to other types of non-profit making bodies.

Rural Rate Relief Areas

If your business property is in a designated rural area (with no more than 3,000 residents), you may be able to claim a rural rate discount of 50%.

To qualify, you must:

• run the only village store, or the only post office, or a food store, with a rateable value of less than £7,000.
• run the only pub, or the only petrol station, with a rateable value of less than £10,500
• run any other business of benefit to the community and Council Tax payers (as decided by us), with a rateable value of less than £14,000. (Discount up to 100% in this case).

Non-agricultural businesses on agricultural land

If you have set up a business in an ex-agricultural building or on land previously used for agriculture, you may be able to apply for rate relief of 50%.

The business must not have a rateable value of more than £7000. The relief period will last for up to five years.

Hardship relief

We maybe able to provide hardship relief if you are experiencing hardship and your business is considered to be important to the local community.

Small Business Relief

This is available at 50% for ratepayers occupying single properties with a rateable value up to £5,000 with relief declining in percentage terms on a sliding scale unit it is 0% at £10,000. Further information is provided with the application form.

Contact Details

For further information on Business Rates Relief, please contact the Business Rates Team on 0121 704 8175 or email businessrates@solihull.gov.uk