Rate Relief for Businesses in Rural Areas

Businesses in a rural settlement could qualify for mandatory and/or discretionary rural rate relief

A rural settlement is a defined area with a population of less than 3000

• Rural Settlement list 2008/2009  (24.00 KB)

To qualify for 50% mandatory relief the premises must be:

• the sole general store or the sole post office in the village, provided it has a rateable value of up to £7,000;
• any food shop with a rateable value of up to £7,000
• the sole pub in the village with a rateable value of up to £10,500
• the sole petrol station in the village with a rateable value of up to £10,500.

We also have the discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill on such property.

We may decide to give up to 100% relief to any other business in a rural settlement, with a rateable value up to £14,000, if we are satisfied that the business is of benefit to the community and having regard to the interests of all council tax payers. For an application form please use the links below:

Application Forms:

• Mandatory Rural Rate Relief
• Discretionary Rural Rate Relief