What are business rates?
Business rates are collected by Derby City Council but are paid directly to central government. The government then re-distributes the money raised from business rates back to councils in the form of a grant.
The present business rates system was introduced in 1990. At this time all business properties were valued. A revaluation takes place every five years with the latest one carried out for April 2010.
Information about business rates is also available on the Valuation Office Website.
Who pays business rates?
Business rates are payable on most commercial properties, including shops, warehouses and factories. There are some non-domestic properties that do not pay business rates. These include farms, churches and parks.
Rates are normally paid by the occupier of a property. If the property is unoccupied then the owner or leaseholder will usually have to pay empty rates. Empty retail and office properties will be liable for 100% of rates after an initial three month relief period.
Empty industrial and warehouse properties will have a six month relief period then 100% charge
For information on paying Business Rates please visit How to Pay Business Rates.
Tell us once
To improve our Customer Services to you we may share personal information with other Council Departments, including our Council Tax Service, Sundry Debts team or Derby Advice, if you tell us anything that affects another Council service or gives you an entitlement to another service. We will treat all information provided in confidence and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. It will be used for the purpose of processing and administering your Business Rates. It may also be used for the prevention of fraud, misuse of public funds and any legal or statutory requirements. It may also be shared with other public bodies such as the Audit Commission for a similar purpose.
Information about you and the Data Protection Act can be obtained from the Data Protection Manager, PO Box 6291, The Council house, Derby DE1 2YL.