Commercial businesses contribute to local services through paying business rates, also known as non-domestic rates.

Manage your business rates online

You can manage your business rates online by creating a portal account. The portal gives you full access to your business rates account where you can make payments, notify us of changes and apply for discounts and exemptions.

To register for an account, you will need your account name, email address and business rates reference number.

Please note that the system is unavailable from 6pm to 8pm on weekdays due to routine system maintenance.

Paying your business rates

There are also other ways you can pay your business rates, including direct debit, online payments, by post or in person at our offices.

You will receive an annual bill for every property you are liable for, the bill is assumed to be payable in monthly instalments. The number of monthly instalments will be 10 however you can request this is changed to 12.

If for any reason you are unable to pay your business rates, please let us know as soon as possible.

How are business rates calculated? 

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) values all business properties for business rates. The valuation is based on information the VOA holds about your property.

You can view and update this information on the GOV.UK website.

We work out your business rates bill by multiplying the rateable value of the property by a multiplier. The multiplier increases each year in line with inflation.

  • The 2023-24 standard rating multiplier is 51.2 pence
  • For small businesses (for an occupied premises with a rateable value below £50,999, except properties occupied by charities) the 2023-24 rating multiplier is 49.9 pence

Business rates are charged on a day-to-day basis so if you occupy the property for part of the year, you’ll only pay for that portion.

If you are unable to use the online service above, you can also contact the VOA on 03000 501 501.