About business rates, reductions and reliefs
Your business rates bill depends on:
- the rateable value of your property – this is decided by the Valuation Office Agency
- the relevant rating multiplier – this is set by the Department for Communities and Local Government
- any reductions or reliefs you are entitled to – this is decided by us
Reductions and reliefs can be either mandatory or discretionary.
If a relief is mandatory, we will award it providing that your business and / or premises meet the relevant criteria.
If a relief is discretionary, we will decide whether to award it on a case-by-case basis. Our discretionary rate relief policy (PDF 381.3KB) 
describes the factors we will consider and how we will reach our decision.
You can qualify for more than one relief at the same time, including both mandatory and discretionary reliefs.
Related information
Discretionary rate relief policy (PDF 381.3KB)
Contact us
Please quote your business rates account reference in all correspondence – your account reference is 7 or 8 digits long and starts with a 3, and you can find it on your business rates bill or any letter we’ve sent about your business rates.