Small business rate relief

Small business rate relief is aimed at helping small businesses with the payment of business rates.

The amount of business rates you pay is affected by the rateable value of your business premises. Find out more about business rates.

Eligibility

A property must be occupied to qualify for small business rate relief, and one of the following conditions must apply:

• The ratepayer occupies only one property in England, which has a rateable value of less than £15,000.
• The ratepayer occupies one main property which has a rateable value of less than £15,000 but also occupies other properties, each with a rateable value of under £2,900. The total rateable value must be less than £20,000. 

If the ratepayer has multiple properties, small business rate relief can only be awarded on the property with the highest rateable value. Any additional properties will pay the full business rate charge.

Businesses already receiving small business rate relief that take on an additional property with a rateable value of £2,900 or above, will continue to receive their existing rate relief on the original property for 12 months.  After 12 months the full business rate charge will apply.

Apply for relief

If your property meets the above criteria, you can apply for small business rate relief using the online form below.

Apply for small business rate relief

Relief amounts

Properties with a rateable value of up to £12,000 will receive 100% relief on business rates.

For properties with a rateable value between £12,000 and £14,999, relief is awarded on a sliding scale.

Properties with a rateable value of £15,000 and above are not eligible for relief.

The rateable value of your business premises is set by the Valuation Office Agency. Find out how to check and challenge a rateable value.