Business rates explained

Non-domestic rates  /  Rateable value  /  Non-profit organisations  /  Partly occupied properties  /  National business rates multiplier  /  Unoccupied properties  /  Hardship relief  /  Charity and registered community amateur sports  /  Rating advisers  /  Small business rate relief  /  Revaluation 2010 and Transitional Arrangements  /  Deferred payment of 2012/13 rates liabilities  /  Business Rate Supplements (BRS)  /  Moving into or out of a property  /  Contact details

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Non-domestic rates 

Business Rates, otherwise known as National Non-Domestic Rates is a tax that we collect on behalf of Central Government, which is where it differs from Council tax. The charge was introduced in 1990 and is calculated by using the property’s rateable value, determined by the Valuation Office, against a poundage multiplier, which is set annually by Central Government

We pay all monies collected in respect of business rates into a Central Government pool, which is then redistributed nationally to help pay for local services. In 2011/12 we received just over £146 million pounds from the pool.

Business rates are charged on all assessments that are not used for domestic purposes (for example, shops, offices, factories, car parking spaces, and advertising sites). There are currently around 16,500 live assessments in Camden that pay business rates and we have the 4th largest rating base in the country, with a total rateable value of £1.2 billion. This meant that in 2011/12 the business rates section will collect just under £458 million pounds.

Within Camden, there are also two business improvement districts (BIDs), which have been introduced in recent years, as a result of successful ballots that were conducted in the respective areas. The first to be introduced was the inmidtown and the second was Camden Town Unlimited. These have been set up by the business community with the support of local businesses, to help provide additional services and facilities within their given areas.

The Fitzrovia Partnership

There is currently a proposal to introduce a third BID area in Fitzrovia during 2012, which will be operated by “The Fitzrovia Partnership.” Local business residents affected will be balloted on these proposals later this year.

While we are responsible for collecting the money on behalf of the BID operators, we do not determine how the BID is operated. Any queries regarding each respective BID should be directed to the relevant operator.

If your query relates to payment however, then please contact the business rates section

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Page last updated Mar 28, 2012 3:16 PM