FAQs
- How is my Business' rateable value calculated?
- I have appealed against my Business' rateable value do I still have to pay?
- I have moved out of my business property - will I still have rates to pay?
- I have received a rate bill which tells me I am in credit, how can I get a refund?
- I want to pay my business rates by direct debit. Do I have to complete a form?
- I've received a summons and want to pay my Business Rates. Why do I still have to pay the court costs?
- What are Business Rates?
- What is Small Business Rate Relief, and how do I register for it?
- What services do I receive in return for paying my business rates?
- When do I have to pay my Business Rates?
- Where can I make my Business Rates payments?
- Why have you sent me a reminder/summons for Business Rates?
How is my Business' rateable value calculated?
The rateable value reflects the maximum yearly rent which a tenant would be prepared to pay to rent a property under perfect market conditions. The valuation office determines the values and any appeal must be directed to that office at:
The District Valuer and Valuation Officer
Eagle Star House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3TW
Tel: 0191 220 7000
Email: newcastlegroup.vo@voa.gsi.gov.uk
I have appealed against my Business' rateable value do I still have to pay?
Yes. Rates are payable based on the rateable value which appears in the current rating list and if you do not pay as shown on your bill, further action may be taken. If your appeal is successful and your rates are reduced interest is usually payable on any overpayment
I have moved out of my business property - will I still have rates to pay?
You should inform the Business Rates Team of your change in circumstances.
Business Rates will not be payable in the first three months that a property is empty. This is extended to six months in the case of certain industrial properties. After this period, rates are payable in full unless the unoccupied property rate has been reduced by the Government by order. In most cases, the occupied property rate is zero for properties owned by charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs. In addition, there are a number of exemptions from empty property rate. Further details can be obtained from the local authority.
I have received a rate bill which tells me I am in credit, how can I get a refund?
You need to complete a refund application form.
I want to pay my business rates by direct debit. Do I have to complete a form?
Yes, you can download the direct debit form here or telephone us on the number shown below and we will send you an application form.
I've received a summons and want to pay my Business Rates. Why do I still have to pay the court costs?
Costs are payable when a liability order is obtained. Once a summons is issued the only way to stop the Council from asking for a liability order is to pay the full amount outstanding before the hearing. Even when an arrangement is made the Council still has to obtain the liability order, but it will not take any of the actions the liability order allows it to take as long as you keep to the arrangements we have made with you.
What are Business Rates?
The Business Rates (or non-domestic rates) collected by the Council are paid into a central pool and redistributed to local authorities throughout the country. This Council's share of redistributed rate income, together with income from Council Taxpayers, the Revenue support Grant provided by Government, and certain other sums, is used to pay for the services provided by the Council within South Tyneside.
What is Small Business Rate Relief, and how do I register for it?
The Government has introduced a relief scheme for Ratepayers who either
- Occupy only a single non-domestic property in England, which has a Rateable Value (on the first day, and each subsequent day, of the valuation period (this being the five year period in between Rating List revaluations) in respect of which the relief is being claimed) of less than £15,000, or
- Occupy more than one non-domestic property in England, where:
- The Rateable Value of the property for which relief is being claimed is less than £15,000 (on the first day, and each subsequent day, of the financial year in respect of which the relief is being claimed), and
- The sum of the Rateable Values of the occupied properties (during the period in respect of which the relief is being claimed) is less than £15,000, and
- The Rateable Value of each of the occupied properties (apart from the property for which relief is being claimed) is less than £2,200 (during the period in respect of which the relief is being claimed).
To apply:
Small Business Rates Relief Application
What services do I receive in return for paying my business rates?
Your rates are not a payment for specific services but are a contribution from businesses towards all the services provided by the Council for the community, such as local transport, education and housing.
When do I have to pay my Business Rates?
Your Business Rates are payable in monthly instalments (unless you have chosen to pay in a lump sum or half-yearly). Those instalments are due on the 1st of the month, which means that payments should be on your Business Rate account by that date.
Payment may be made in person at Gordon House, or at any housing office.
If you post your payment, you should post it before the due date so that it will be processed and on your account in time. If using 2nd class mail, you should post it at least 4 working days before the due date, and send it to:
The Business Rates Team, Gordon House, Gordon Street, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 4JP
You may find it easier to pay your business rates by direct debit. You can download a direct debit application form. Alternatively, you can pay online or by debit card by telephoning the automated payment line on 0191 424 6468
Where can I make my Business Rates payments?
You can call into any of the following offices.
Please check the back of your bill or telephone Gordon House to check the opening times of each of the offices:
- Gordon House, Gordon Street, South Shields
- South Shields Housing Office, 1/2 Charlotte Terrace, South Shields
- Landreth House, Boldon Lane, South Shields
- Horsley Hill Area Office, Horsley Hill Square, South Shields
- Jarrow Town Hall, Grange Road, South Shields
- Hebburn Civic Centre, Campbell Park Road, Hebburn
- Hedworth Area Office, Sandicares, JarrowWhitburn Housing Office, 8 Birch Avenue, Whitburn
- Boldon Housing Office, North Road, Boldon Colliery
Alternatively, you can make a payment online or you can telephone the automated payment line on 0191 424 6468 to make a payment by debit card.
Why have you sent me a reminder/summons for Business Rates?
By law, the Council must send a reminder if your instalments are not up to date. If you do not bring them up to date within seven days you can lose the right to pay by instalments and, after a further seven days, you will receive a summons to appear at court.
If you receive a summons and do not pay in full before the hearing the Council will apply for a liability order together with court costs. The liability order grants the Council the right to use various methods to recover the outstanding debt.
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