Business Rates FAQs

National Non-Domestic Rates are a statutory tax levied by central government on those responsible for commercial property. National Non-Domestic Rates are also referred to as Business Rates. They are the equivalent of Council Tax for non-domestic properties.

We accept payment by various methods, please visit our pay it page for more details.

If your premises become vacant, you may be eligible to an exemption from rates charges for up to three or six months. Commercial premises are entitled to three months exemption, after which full rates are payable. Premises which are classed as industrial, such as warehouses and factories are entitled to six months exemption, after which full rates are payable.

Also, all vacant premises with a rateable value of less than £2,900 are exempt from paying empty property rates.

From 1 April 2013, along with all other Local Authorities, Hastings Borough Council will receive less Government grant but will keep about half of the Business Rates we collect locally providing a financial incentive to improve the local economy. The remainder will continue to go to Central Government for re-allocation to Local Authorities through various grants. Central Government will continue to set the amount of rates you must pay each year.

Part of the money is used to fund services and amenities nationally. Some of the money kept by the local authority will go to pay for local services such as the Police and Fire services. Collection of commercial waste is not covered by National Non-Domestic Rates charges.

See the Relief and Reductions page.

The rateable values of all commercial properties in Hastings are available by looking on the Valuation Office website.

You can click, find and review your rateable value on the VOA's website.  If you have reason to believe that your 2017 rateable value is not correct, follow the instructions provided on the site. You will need to do the following:

• CHECK - review and confirm the facts about your property held by the VOA
• CHALLENGE - once the facts are established, explain why you believe your valuation is wrong.

An appeal on your 2017 rateable value is not possible, and may not be necessary, until you have completed CHECK and CHALLENGE.

You may only appeal against your 2017 rateable value until 31 March 2023.

Due to the revaluation that takes effect From 01 April 2023, you will - from that date -  need to use a business rates valuation account to tell the VOA you think your rateable value is too high. You must continue to pay your business rates as normal until a decision has been made. Find more information on our 2023 business rate revaluation page.

Charitable organisations can be entitled to mandatory charitable relief which equates to an 80 per cent discount on rates charges. If you wish to apply for mandatory relief you will need to provide the registered charity number from the Charities Commission and demonstrate that the premises are used for charitable purposes.

There are also concessions available for 'not-for-profit' organisations and 'Community Amateur Sports Clubs'(CASCs). Please contact us on 01424 451081.

Businesses and other occupiers of non-domestic properties pay Business Rates to directly contribute towards the costs of local authority services. Council Tax is payable for domestic property, and Business Rates are payable for just about everything else - from offices and shops to beach huts and advertising hoardings.

If your beach hut or chalet is your only non-domestic property, you will currently be entitled to a 100% discount off the full liability - see Relief and Reductions page for details.

National Non-Domestic Rates are a tax and therefore if you fail to make payments in accordance with your payment schedule the local authority is obliged to take recovery action.

A reminder will normally be sent within 12 days of a late payment. If no payment is received within seven days of the reminder, a Summons for the full rates charges for the year can be issued through the Magistrates' Court.

The Summons removes the right of the ratepayer to pay by instalments and there is a charge levied. If you do not pay after receiving the Summons, the Council will apply for a Liability Order through the Court and the debt can be passed to the enforcement agents for collection.

It is important to contact us if you receive a Summons or Liability Order as there may be the option of a repayment plan. The team will also be able to advise if there is any additional relief or discounts that you are able to claim.

If you do not pay your bill after receiving the Liability Order, the Council can apply for insolvency action. The final stage will be a committal hearing at Court which can result in a custodial sentence.

Information and advice regarding running a business is available at https://www.gov.uk/browse/business or by calling 08450 600 9 006.