Direct Debit payments
Due to a technical issue, council tax and business rates payments set to be paid by Direct Debit today (Thursday 1 May) will now be paid tomorrow (Friday 2 May).
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Who pays business rates
Business rates are how businesses and other organisations help towards the cost of local services.
They must be paid for any property that is not used for living in, such as:
- Shops
- Offices
- Factories
- Warehouses
- Public Houses
- Cinemas
- Holiday homes available for let 140 days or more each year
- Bed and Breakfast accommodation that can accommodate more than six people at the same time
If part of a home is used for business or non-domestic purposes and this is a self-contained area, such as a spare bedroom or a garage, then business rates may need to be paid for this part of the property.
Some non-domestic properties are free from business rates; these include:
- Agricultural land and buildings
- Places of religious worship
- Trinity House properties (such as lighthouses)
- Sewers and accessories
- Property of drainage authorities
- Public parks
- Property used for disabled people
- Properties occupied by visiting forces
Who pays?
Usually, the person or company who occupies the building has to pay the bill. If the building is empty the owner or tenant must pay - or the person who could be using the site.