Business rates - general information

National Non-Domestic Rates

The national non-domestic rates, or business rates, collected by local councils are the means by which businesses and others who occupy non-domestic property make a contribution towards the cost of local services.  Except in the City of London where special arrangements apply, the rates are pooled by central government and redistributed to local councils according to the number of people living in the area.  This money, together with revenue from council taxpayers, revenue support grant provided by the government and certain other sums, is used to pay for the services provided by your local council and other local authorities in your area.

Rateable Value

Apart from properties that are exempt from business rates, each non-domestic property has a rateable value, which is set by the valuation officers of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an Agency of the Inland Revenue.  It draws up and maintains a full list of all rateable values, which are available on their website at Valuation Office Agency .  The rateable value of your property will be shown on the front of your bill.  The rateable value broadly represents the yearly rent the property could have been let for on the open market on a particular date.  For the revaluation that came into effect on 1 April 2005, this date was set as 1 April 2003.

The valuation officer has to maintain the list and may alter the value if he or she believes that the circumstances of the property have changed.  The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property) can also appeal against the value shown in the list if they believe it is wrong.  Further information on the grounds for making an appeal, and on how to make one, can be found on the VOA website at Valuation Office Agency  or from your local valuation office.

If your rateable value changes as the result of your appeal, and the amount you have to pay is altered because of this, we will let you know by sending you a revised bill.

In the meantime you must keep up your payments as shown on your original bill.  If you don't, Hertsmere Borough Council will take recovery action against any arrears that accrue.  The council will refund, with interest, any difference between the amount you have already paid and any reduction resulting from the appeal.  The council will not, however, pay interest if a liability order has been issued against you.

The effect of successful appeals against values shown in the rating list that came into force on 1 April 2005 will normally be backdated to the beginning of the financial year in which they are made, although there are exceptions to this.  Further information about these arrangements may be obtained from DCLG .

For more information visit the Governments Official Business Rates  .