Buisness rates

[MattE]

Can anyone help or point me in the right direction. I am looking at renting a unit/workshop soon amd i`m getting mixed answers on business rates, some people are saying that because i`m not running a business from there i won`t have to pay, and some say i will but it goes on the size of unit and the offical www.gov.uk site makes as much sence as me after a night on the pop, (plain english it is not!) any help, advice always greatfull. Thanks Matt

[93fxdl]

Been covered before, but rates are by local council and are worked out from rateable value,
Most areas can give you first year free,
Not for profit, clubs, etc can get a sliding scale of relief,
Charities get full exemption,
Probably best to look at your local council website for info, ps farm buildings/barns etc are exempt
Ttfn Glenn

[Deleted]

If you are a small business, or private individual this entitles you to small business rates rebate which was a 50% discount but for some reason I never found out why (something to do with the government helping small businesses) this now means you get a 100% discount, yes that's right you pay nothing but you must register with the council for small business rates relieve.
I know this is the case in most areas so give your local council rates office a call to confirm this.

[grumpy]

It will go on what your unit is classified as ie b1 , b2 etc , but yes you may be able to get exempt or reduced if you can prove you will not be using for buisiness . But then again you may get stonewalled with 'it IS a buisiness unit ' . Your best bet is to speak to someone directely at your council and be very nice and make all of the right noises .

[Deleted]

Sept 22, 2013 17:39:08 GMT grumpy said:

It will go on what your unit is classified as ie b1 , b2 etc , but yes you may be able to get exempt or reduced if you can prove you will not be using for buisiness . But then again you may get stonewalled with 'it IS a buisiness unit ' . Your best bet is to speak to someone directely at your council and be very nice and make all of the right noises .

I believe that any type of unit or workshop will be ratable unless it is a storage unit but if is highly unlikely to find one that you could use to work on a car and if it is in a compound with other storage units you can guarantee that someone will grass you up.
The fact that you are not running a business will not make any difference as the rates are payable for the unit not the type of usage but as I said you should be zero rates anyhow!

When I got my unit a few years ago I had to pay rates and had to apply for small business rebate to get the 50% discount even though I wasn't a business but now don't pay anything for rates due to the 100% discount that all small businesses get.

when you phone or go to the council make sure you only speak to someone in the business rates section.

[MattE]

Fantastic, thanks everyone.

[charlie]

If you get offered a unit for rent, go here and put in the postcode to find the rateable value: www.2010.voa.gov.uk/rli/
Then go here to read about how much you'll pay: www.2010.voa.gov.uk/rli/static/HelpPages/English/faqs/faq074-how_much_am_i_going_to_pay.html

Your landlord should tell you of course.

Charlie

[Deleted]

I have just looked on the dot gov site and the 100% relief is for all business units or workshops (regardless of if you are actually running a business) with a rateable value under £6k and is effective until April 2014.

www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief/small-business-rate-relief

[Deleted]

And the council said............